Methods, primers and probes for detection of hepatitis C and novel variants

ABSTRACT

Oligonucleotides primers can be used to amplify and detect Hepatitis C virus nucleic acids in a process that involves reverse transcription of the viral genomic RNA to create cDNA and the subsequent amplification of the cDNA by the polymerase chain reaction. Oligonucleotide probes can be used to detect the presence of amplified DNA by hybridization. The invention provides improved methods, compositions, and kits for amplifying and detecting U.S., Japan, and HCV-C prototype nucleic acids.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/918,844, filed Jul. 21, 1992, which application is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/751,305, filed Aug. 27, 1991 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention provides improved methods and reagents for the detection of Hepatitis C virus, a causative agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis. The reagents include oligonucleotide primers for both reverse transcription of the viral RNA genome and subsequent amplification by the polymerase chain reaction of the eDNA so produced. Sequence specific oligonucleotide probes are provided for the detection of amplified HCV nucleic acid sequences. The primers and probes are useful in a diagnostic test for the detection of HCV infection. Ttfis diagnostic test has important applications in both clinical and epidemiological settings.

2. Description of Related Art

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of an unknown number of agents responsible tbr non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH). The prototypical HCV was identified from a eDNA clone of a blood-borne NANBH virus obtained from the plasma of an infected chimpanzee as reported in Choo et al., 1989, Science 244:359-362. Nucleotide sequences of genes from this prototype HCV are described in European Patent Publication Nos. 318,216; 388,232; and 398,748. The nucleotide sequence of the HCV genome was reported and compared to related virus in Choo et al., 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:2451-2455.

Sequences from other strains have since been reported. The genome of HCV exhibits a large degree of nucleic acid sequence heterogeneity between isolates. The isolation of eDNA from the HCV RNA genome was reported in Kuboet al., 1989, Nuc. Acids Res. 17: 10367-10372. The authors constructed a reverse transcription primer based on the sequence reported in Choo et al., 1989, Supra. The fragment of the HCV genome isolated showed 79.8% hornology with the prototype HCV sequence. Obtained by a similar protocol, sequences from three different regions were reported in Takeuchi et al., 1990, Gene 91:287-291. Sequence hornology with the prototype sequence was reported as low as 73.5% for one of the regions.

The HCV genomic sequence from a strain isolated from Japanese patients was reported in Karo et al., 1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:9524-9528. The sequence showed 77.4% hornology with the prototype HCV genome over the region compared. A sequence for the entire coding region of the HCV genome reported in Takamizawa et al., 1991, J. Virol. 65(3):1105-1113 showed 77% homology with the prototype HCV strain.

In Japan, two main strains, designated strains K1 and K2, have been observed based on a 400 nucleotide region of the genome. These strains have sequence hornology with the prototype HCV sequence as low as 67% (see Enomoto et al., 1990, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 170(3): 1021-1025). The K2 strain could be further subdivided into two groups, designated Ka and Kb, with about 20% nucleotide variation between the groups and about 5% nucleotide variation within each group.

Similar levels of hornology with the prototype HCV sequence were reported in Karo et al., 1990, J. Clin. Invest. 86: 1764-1767. From 15 patients, cDNA segments were amplified and sequenced. The amplified portion, 37 nucleotides corresponding to positions 3525-3561 in the prototype sequence, showed 68-78% hornology with the prototype HCV sequence.

HCV genonfic RNA can be detected in sera by creating cDNA from the genomic RNA, amplifying the cDNA with the polymerase chain reaction, and subsequently probing with sequence-specific oligonucleotides. Because of the sequence heterogeneity among HCV strains, primers and probes are likely to be strain-specific, unless a region in which the sequence is conserved across strains can be found. One such conserved region is at the 5'-end of the HCV genome.

The 5'-terminal noncoding sequence of the HCV genome was first reported in Okamoto et al., 1990, Japan J. Exp. Med. 60(3): 167-177. Comparison between two strains suggested that the 5'-terminal noncoding sequence is conserved. The conserved nature of the 5'-terminal noncoding sequence of the HCV genome was also reported in Han et al., 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:1711-1715. Partial sequences of a 341 nucleotide region obtained from 11 HCV isolates collected from individuals from five continents were compared. Seven sequences showed complete homology with the prototype sequence; the remaining four showed between one and five base mismatches.

In Okamoto et al., 1990, Japan J. Exp. Med. 60(3):215-222, primers for various regions of the HCV genome, including the conserved 5' noncoding region were described. The primers selected from conserved regions successfully amplified nucleic acid from most of the strains tested; primers chosen from heterogeneous regions amplified nucleic acid from a smaller subset of strains. However, the amplification efficiency with these primers was low. The reference describes a two-stage PCR amplification; the second round of amplification was performed on the previously amplified target region using a second set of primers nested within the region amplified by the first set of primers.

A PCR amplification requiring two rounds of amplification using two sets of primers was also reported in Garson et al., 1990, Lancet 335:1419-1422. A region encoding a nonstructural protein (NS5) was amplified. Due to sequence heterogeneity, there are HCV sequences not recognized by these primers (see Garson et al., 1990, Lancet 336:878-879). Consequently, primers in the conserved 5' noncoding region were tried, but to obtain sufficient sensitivity, a two-sage amplification using sets of nested primers was still necessary. Amplification of the 5'-terminal region using a two-stage amplification with nested primers was also reported in Kanai et al., 1990, Lancet 336:245.

Amplification using two rounds of amplification with nested primers is not only inefficient but also greatly increases the probability of contamination. The problems of contamination are well known in the art; opening the reaction tube to change primers and add reagents between amplification steps is best avoided if at all possible. The contamination problem is further aggravated by the need to change reaction conditions between the initial reverse transcription step and the subsequent PCR amplification.

There is still a need for primer oligonucleotides for amplifying HCV sequences, each chosen from a conserved region so that all, or almost all, strains will be amplified, and amplification methods efficient enough that amplification with one set of primers is sufficient. There is also a need for probe oligonucleotides for the detection of the amplified cDNA chosen from a conserved region in between the two conserved regions to which the primers hybridize. Reaction protocol and reagents are needed that allow reverse transcription and PCR to occur using the same reagents, thereby eliminating the need to open the reaction tube during the amplification process.

Moreover, ten percent of NANBH cases are nonreactive with the prototype capsid and envelope antigens. Chaudhary et ill., 1991 J. Clinical Microbiology 29:2329-2330 and Hosein etal., 1991, PNAS 8:3647-3651. Thus, the development of PCR based diagnostics and antigens encoded by new isolates will improve the dependability of serologically based diagnostic tests. The present invention meets these needs by providing primers, probes, and methods for detecting HCV.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides improved methods and reagents for the detection of Hepatitis C virus, a causative agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis. The specific primers and sequence specific oligonucleotide probes provided can be used in a homogeneous reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) that enables amplification and detection of the viral RNA genomic sequences. The efficiency of amplification using the primers and methods of the present invention eliminates the need for a second round of PCR amplification with nested primers, and the high sensitivity of the resulting test provides reliable detection of the nucleic acid.

One aspect of the invention relates to specific oligonucleotide primers. The invention provides compositions comprising an oligonucleotide primer for amplifying an HCV nucleic acid wherein said primer is suitable for amplifying a nucleic acid subsequence from an HCV strain or isotype selected from the group consisting of Japan, US and C9 strains. The primers provided function both in the reverse-transcription of the viral RNA genome and the subsequent amplification of the cDNA produced using the polymerase chain reaction. The primers hybridize to sequences from conserved regions of the HCV genome and, therefore, bind to a variety of strains. The efficiency of amplification using the provided primers is sufficient to eliminate the need for a second round of PCR amplification with nested primers.

Another aspect of the invention relates to probes capable of detecting the presence of HCV genomic nucleic acid regardless of the strain. The probes are complementary to regions conserved across strains. Diagnostic tests using the probes of the present invention can detect a large number of HCV strains without compromising specificity. Thus, the invention provides compositions comprising an oligonucleotide probe for detecting the presence of Hepatitis C virus nucleic acids, wherein the probe is suitable for detecting the nucleic acid of an HCV strain or variant strain selected from the group consisting of Japan, US, and C9 prototype strains.

A third aspect of the invention relates to kits. These kits take a variety of forms and can comprise one or more reverse-transcription, amplification, or detection reagents, e.g., primers, probes, polymerases, glycosylases, buffers, and nucleoside triphosphates.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a kit for the detection of nucleic acid specific to a C9 isolate of hepatitis virus, the kit comprising a compartment which contains a nucleic acid probe which binds substantially to a nucleic acid subsequence of the HCV-C9 virus.

Another aspect of the invention relates to methods for amplifying and detecting HCV RNA.

In addition, the present invention relates to compositions comprising a viral nucleic acid sequence substantially homologous to SEQ ID. NO. 29. A cDNA alone, pHCV-C9, containing such a viral sequence, termed here the C9 isolate, is deposited with the American Type Culture Collection and has Deposit No. 75265.

The invention also provides oligonucleotide probes and primers for detecting a nucleic acid sequence specific to the C9 isolate and related variants. The probes of the invention preferably comprise a subsequence selected from the following group:

    __________________________________________________________________________     SEQ ID NO. 34                                                                            5'-TTGCCGGAAAGACTGGGTCCTTTC-3'                                                                        (nt174-197)                                   SEQ ID NO. 35                                                                            5'-CAAAAGAAACACAAACCGCCGCCC-3'                                                                        (nt374-397)                                   SEQ ID NO. 36                                                                            5'-CCAGCCCATCCCGAAAGATCGGCG-3'                                                                        (nt527-550)                                   SEQ ID NO. 37                                                                            (MY160) 5'-TGTCCGGTCATTTGGGCG-3'                                                                      (nt216-233)                                   __________________________________________________________________________

The invention further provides oligonucleotide primers for the amplification of nucleic acid sequences specific to a C9 isolate. Primers of the invention for specifically amplifying the C9 variant and related isolates preferably comprise a nucleic acid sequence selected from the following group of upstream primers:

    __________________________________________________________________________     SEQ ID NO. 38                                                                            5'-AAACCCACTCTATGTCCGGTC-3'                                                                         (nt204-224);                                    SEQ ID NO. 39                                                                            5'-GTACGCCGGAATTGCCGGAAA-3'                                                                         (nt163-183); and                                SEQ ID NO. 40                                                                            5'-CCTCAAAGAAAAACCAAAAGA-3'                                                                         (nt360-380);                                    __________________________________________________________________________

for use with one of the following downstream primers:

    __________________________________________________________________________     SEQ ID NO. 41                                                                            5'-TGGCGTCTCCCACGCGGCTGG-3'                                                                        (nt509-529); and                                 SEQ ID NO. 42                                                                            5'-CTTTCCCCAGGACCTGCCGGT-3'                                                                        (nt555-575).                                     __________________________________________________________________________

The invention also provides probes which substantially bind sequences of the C9 isolate and previously identified Hepatitis C isolates. Preferred probes of this category include:

    __________________________________________________________________________     SEQ ID NO. 43                                                                            KY150 5'-CATAGTGGTCTGCGGAACCGGTGAGT-3'.                              __________________________________________________________________________

The invention further provides probes for detecting non-C9 HCV sequences.

The invention provides a process for detecting the presence of Hepatitis C genomic nucleic acid, wherein said Hepatitis C genomic nucleic acid is selected from the group consisting of Japan, U.S., and C9 prototype stains, comprising: (a) amplifying a subsequence of the nucleic acid; (b) mixing the amplified nucleic acid with an oligonucleotide probe specific to the subsequence under conditions wherein the probe binds to the subsequence to form a stable hybrid duplex; and (c) detecting hybrids formed between the subsequence and the probe. comprise the following steps:

In another embodiment, the invention provides a process for detecting a C9 isolate of hepatitis virus the method comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a sample suspected of containing an HCV-C9 nucleic acid sequence with a nucleic acid probe having a subsequence complementary to an HCV-C9 nucleic acid sequence; and (b) detecting the hybridization of the probe to said sequence.

The method may further comprise, before step (a), the step of amplifying a subsequence of the sequence specific to the virus. Amplification is preferably achieved by the use the polymerase chain reaction method. The primers and probes above are preferably used in the methods of the invention.

The invention also provides kits for the detection of nucleic acid specific to a C9 isolate of hepatitis virus. The kit comprises a compartment which contains a nucleic acid probe which binds substantially to a nucleic acid subsequence of the nucleic acid sequence. The probe is preferably selected from the group listed above.

Alternate assay methods are based on immunological reactions, such as the reaction of serum antibodies with proteins or viral lysates from C9 isolate or the reaction of immunoglobulins raised against viral antigens with a biological sample containing the virus. The invention thus provides biologically pure immunoglobulins raised against the C9 isolate. The immunoglobulins are preferably a monoclonal antibodies.

To aid in understanding the invention, several terms are defined below.

"Amplification reaction mixture" refers to an aqueous solution comprising the various reagents used to amplify a target nucleic acid. These include: enzymes, aqueous buffers, salts, target nucleic acid, and deoxynucleoside triphosphates. Depending upon the context, the mixture can be either a complete or incomplete amplification reaction mixture.

"Amplification reaction system" refers to any in vitro means for multiplying the copies of a target sequence of nucleic acid. Such methods include, but are not limited to, polymerase chain reaction amplification (PCR), DNA ligase, QB RNA replicase, and RNA transcription-based amplification systems. These involve multiple amplification reagents and are more fully described below.

"Amplification reaction tube(s)" refers to a container suitable for holding the amplification reagents. Generally, the tube is constructed of inert components so as to not inhibit or interfere with the amplification system being used. Where the system requires thermal cycling of repeated heating and cooling, the tube must be able to withstand the cycling process and, typically, precisely fit the wells of the thermocycler.

"Amplification reagents" refer to the various buffers, enzymes, primers, deoxynucleoside triphosphates (both conventional and unconventional), and primers used to perform the selected amplification procedure.

"Amplifying" or "Amplification", which typically refers to an "exponential" increase in target nucleic acid, is being used herein to describe both linear and exponential increases in the numbers of a select target sequence of nucleic acid.

"Bind(s) substantially" refers to complementary hybridization between an oligonucleotide mad a target sequence and embraces minor mismatches that can be accommodated by reducing the stringency of the hybridization media to achieve the desired priming for the PCR polymerases or detection of hybridization signal.

The phrase "biologically pure" refers to material that is substantially or essentially free from components which normally accompany it as found in its native state. For instance, affinity purified antibodies or monoclonal antibodies exist in a biologically purified state.

"Hybridizing" refers the binding of two single stranded nucleic acids via complementary base pairing.

"Nucleic acid" refers to a deoxyribonucleotide or ribonucleotide polymer in either single- or double-stranded form, and unless otherwise limited, would encompass known analogs of natural nucleotides that can function in a similar manner as naturally occurring nucleotides.

"Nucleotide polymerases" refers to enzymes able to catalyze the synthesis of DNA or RNA from nucleoside triphosphate precursors. In the amplification reactions of this invention, the polymerases are template-dependent and typically add nucleotides to the 3'-end of the polymer being formed. It is most preferred that the polymerase is thermostable as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,889,818 and 5,079,352.

The term "oligonucleotide" refers to a molecule comprised of two or more deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides, such as primers, probes, nucleic acid fragments to be detected, and nucleic acid controls. The exact size of an oligonucleotide depends on many factors and the ultimate function or use of the oligonucleotide. Oligonucleotides can be prepared by any suitable method, including, for example, cloning and restriction of appropriate sequences and direct chemical synthesis by a method such as the phosphotriester method of Narang et al., 1979, Meth. Enzymol. 68:90-99; the phosphodiester method of Brown et al, 1979, Meth. Enzymol. 68:109-151; the diethylphosphoramidite method of Beaucage et al., 1981, Tetrahedron Lett. 22:1859-1862; and the solid support method of U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,066.

The term "primer" refers to an oligonucleotide, whether natural or synthetic, capable of acting as a point of initiation of DNA synthesis under conditions in which synthesis of a primer extension product complementary to a nucleic acid strand is induced, i.e., in the presence of four different nucleoside triphosphates and an agent for polymerization (i.e., DNA polymerase or reverse transcriptase) in an appropriate buffer and at a suitable temperature. A primer is preferably a single-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotide. The appropriate length of a primer depends on the intended use of the primer but typically ranges from 15 to 25 nucleotides. Short primer molecules generally require cooler temperatures to form sufficiently stable hybrid complexes with the template. A primer need not reflect the exact sequence of the template but must be sufficiently complementary to hybridize with a template.

In the disclosed embodiments of the invention, sequence specific primers and probes are provided. It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that, provided with those embodiments, additional sequence specific primers and probes can be prepared by, for example, the addition of nucleotides to either the 5' or 3' ends, which nucleotides are complementary to the target sequence or are uncomplementary to the target sequence. So long as primer compositions serve as a point of initiation for extension on the target sequences, and so long as the primers and probes comprise at least 14 consecutive nucleotides contained within those exemplified embodiments, such compositions are within the scope of the invention.

The term "primer" may refer to more than one primer, particularly in the case where there is some ambiguity in the information regarding one or both ends of the target region to be amplified. For instance, if a region shows significant levels of polymorphism in a population, mixtures of primers can be prepared that will amplify alternate sequences. A primer can be labeled, if desired, by incorporating a label detectable by specutroscopic, photochemical, biochemical, immnunochemical, or chemical means. For example, useful labels include ³² P, fluorescent dyes, electron-dense reagents, enzymes (as commonly used in an ELISA), biotin, or haptens and proteins for which antisera or monoclonal antibodies are available. A label can also be used to "capture" the primer, so as to facilitate the immobilization of either the primer or a primer extension product, such as amplified DNA, on a solid support.

"Probe" refers to an oligonucleotide which binds through complementary base pairing to a subsequence of a target nucleic acid. It will be understood by one of skill in the art that probes will typically substantially bind target sequences lacking complete complementarity with the probe sequence depending upon the stringency of the hybridization conditions. The probes are preferably directly labelled as with isotopes or indirectly labelled such as with biotin to which a streptavidin complex may later bind. By assaying for the presence or absence of the probe, one can detect the presence or absence of the target.

"Recombinant" when referring to a nucleic acid probe refers to an oligonucleotide which is free of native proteins and nucleic acid typically associated with probes isolated from the cell, which naturally contains the probe sequence as a part of its native genome. Recombinant probes include those made by amplification means such as PCR and genetic cloning methods where bacteria are transformed with the recombinant probe.

The term "reverse transcriptase" refers to an enzyme that catalyzes the polymerization of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates to form primer extension products that are complementary to a ribonucleic acid template. The enzyme initiates synthesis at the 3'-end of the primer and proceeds toward the 5'-end of the template until synthesis terminates. Examples of suitable polymerizing agents that convert the RNA target sequence into a complementary, copy-DNA (eDNA) sequence are avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase and Thermus thermophilus DNA polymerase, a thermostable DNA polymerase with reverse transcriptase activity marketed by Perkin Elmer.

The terms "sequence-specific oligonucleotide" and "SSO" refer to oligonucleotides that have a sequence, called a "hybridizing region," exactly complementary to the sequence to be detected, typically sequences characteristic of a particular allele or variant, which under "sequence-specific, stringent hybridization conditions" will hybridize only to that exact complementary target sequence. Relaxing the stringency of the hybridizing conditions will allow sequence mismatches to be tolerated; the degree of mismatch tolerated can be controlled by suitable adjustment of the hybridization conditions. Depending on the sequences being analyzed, one or more sequence-specific oligonucleotides may be employed. The terms "probe" and "SSO probe" are used interchangeably with SSO.

A "sequence specific to" a particular viral isolate is a sequence unique to the isolate, that is, not shared by other previously characterized isolates. A probe containing a subsequence complementary to a sequence specific to an isolate will typically not hybridize to the corresponding portion of the genome of other isolates under stringent conditions (e.g., washing the solid support in 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 70° C.).

An antigen or epitope specific to a particular isolate is one that is unique to the isolate and is not shared by other previously characterized isolates. An immunoglobulin raised against the antigen or epitope will not cross react with antigens on previously characterized isolates in standard assays, such as ELISA.

The term "substantially identical" indicates that two or more nucleotide sequences share a majority of their sequence. Generally, this will be at least about 90% of their sequence and preferably about 95% of their sequence. Another indication that sequences are substantially identical is if they hybridize to the same nucleotide sequence under stringent conditions (see, e.g., Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning--A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1985). Stringent conditions are sequence-dependent and will be different in different circumstances. Generally, stringent conditions are selected to be about 5° C. lower than the thermal melting point (Tm) for the specific sequence at a defined ionic strength and pH. The Tm is the temperature (under defined ionic strength and pH) at which 50% of the target sequence hybridizes to a perfectly matched probe. Typically, stringent conditions will be those in which the salt concentration is at least about 0.2 molar at pH and the temperature is at least about 60° C.

"Subsequence" refers to a sequence of nucleic acids that comprise a part of a longer sequence of nucleic acids.

The term "target region" refers to a region of a nucleic acid to be analyzed and can include a polymorphic region.

The term "thermostable polymerase enzyme" refers to an enzyme that is relatively stable to heat and catalyzes the polymerization of nucleoside triphosphates to forIn primer extension products that are complementary to one of the nucleic acid strands of the target sequence. The enzyme initiates synthesis at the 3'-end of the primer and proceeds toward the 5'-end of the template until synthesis terminates. A purified thermostable polymerase enzyme is described more fully in U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,818, incorporated herein by reference, and is developed and manufactured by Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. and commercially available from Perkin Ehner (Norwalk, Conn.).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides an alignment of the novel variant HPV sequence C9, four related variants, and the prototype Japan and U.S. HCV isolates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Hepatitis C virus is a small RNA virus containing a single, positive sense, molecule of RNA about 10,000 nucleotides in length. The genome contains a single, long, open reading frame believed to be translated into a single, large polyprotein and subsequently processed. The open reading frame begins at nucleotide 343 (using the numbering system from the prototype virus) following an untranslated region (UTR). The 5'UTR sequence is relatively conserved and may be important in viral replication and regulation. The 5'-end of the coding region is also conserved. Certain primers and probes of the present invention hybridize to the conserved region at the 5'-end of the HCV genome.

The oligonucleotide sequences of the hybridizing regions of the primers and probes of the invention are presented below. Those skilled in the art will realize that an oligonucleotide sequence used as the hybridizing region of a primer can also be used as the hybridizing region of a probe. Suitability of a primer sequence for use as a probe depends on the hybridization characteristics of the primer. Similarly, an oligonucleotide used as a probe can be used as a primer.

The oligonucleotides shown in Table 1 are positive sense (upstream) primers or probes. The listing is in order based on the position of the 3'-end of the oligonucleotide when hybridized to genomic nucleic acid. The oligonucleotides that hybridize closest to the 5'-end of the genome are listed first.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Oligo                                                                              Sequence Listing                                                                        Sequence                   Position (nt)                          __________________________________________________________________________     KY65                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 1                                                                            5'-CCAAGCTTCACCATAGATCACT  16-29                                  KY79                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 2                                                                            5'-GGCGACACTCCACCATAGATCACT                                                                                6-29                                  KY98                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 3                                                                            5'-CCAAGCTTAGATCACTCCCCTGTGAGGAACT                                                                        21-44                                  KY96                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 4                                                                            5'-CCAAGCTTCACGCAGAAAGCGTCTAGCCAT                                                                         50-74                                  KY80                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 5                                                                            5'-GCAGAAAGCGTCTAGCCATGGCGT                                                                               56-79                                  KY144                                                                              SEQ ID NO: 6                                                                            5'-ACGCAGAAAGCGTCTAGCCATGGCGT                                                                             54-79                                  KY83                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 7                                                                            5'-CCTCCAGGACCCCCCCTCCCGGGAGAGCCA                                                                          99-128                                KY84                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 8                                                                            5'-GAGTACACCGGAATTGCCAGGACGACC                                                                            149-175                                KY85                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 9                                                                            5'-ACCCGCTCAATGCCTGGAGAT   194-214                                KY67                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 10                                                                           5'-CGAAGCTTGCTAGCCGAGTAGT  236-250                                KY81                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 11                                                                           5'-CCGCAAGACTGCTAGCCGAGTAGT                                                                               227-250                                KY88                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 12                                                                           5'-GTTGGGTCGCGAAAGGCCTTGTGGT                                                                              251-275                                KY86                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 13                                                                           5'-GGTGCTTGCGAGTGCCCCGGGAGGTCTCGT                                                                         288-317                                KY87                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 14                                                                           5'-GACTTCCGAGCGGTCGCAACCTCG                                                                               482-505                                __________________________________________________________________________

Table 2 lists oligonucleotides that function as negative sense (downstream) primers or as probes. The same internal ordering as in Table 1 is used.

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Oligo                                                                              Sequence Listing                                                                        Sequence                    Position (nt)                         __________________________________________________________________________     KY153                                                                              SEQ ID NO: 15                                                                           5'-CCCAACACTACTCGGCTAGCAGTCT                                                                               232-256                               KY149                                                                              SEQ ID NO: 16                                                                           5'-AAGGCCTTTCGCGACCCAACACTACT                                                                              245-278                               KY148                                                                              SEQ ID NO: 17                                                                           5'-CACAAGGCCTTTCGCGACCCAACACT                                                                              248-273                               KY78                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 18                                                                           5'-CTCGCAAGCACCCTATCAGGCAGT 276-299                               KY145                                                                              SEQ ID NO: 19                                                                           5'-CACTCGCAAGCACCCTATCAGGCAGT                                                                              276-301                               KY95                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 20                                                                           5'-GGGAATTCGCAAGCACCCTATCAGGCAGT                                                                           276-298                               KY100                                                                              SEQ ID NO: 21                                                                           5'-CGAGGTTGCGACCGCTCGGAAGT  483-505                               KY110                                                                              SEQ ID NO: 22                                                                           5'-AGGTTGCGACCGCTCGGAAGT    483-503                               KY112                                                                              SEQ ID NO: 23                                                                           5'-AGGTTGCGACCGCTCGGAAGT    483-503                               KY109                                                                              SEQ ID NO: 24                                                                           5'-AATGCCATAGAGGGGCCAAGG    573-593                               KY111                                                                              SEQ ID NO: 25                                                                           5'-ATTGCCATAGAGGGGCCAAGG    573-594                               KY99                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 26                                                                           5'-CAGAATTCATTGCCATAGAGGGGCCAAGGAT                                                                         570-592                               KY68                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 27                                                                           5'-CAGAATTCGCCCTCATTGCCAT   586-599                               KY82                                                                               SEQ ID NO: 28                                                                           5'-CCCACCCCAAGCCCTCATTGCCAT 586-610                               __________________________________________________________________________

Several of the oligonucleotidcs have hybridizing regions modified to include a restriction site toward the 5'-end of the molecule. The restriction site is introduced into the amplified product when one of these oligonucleotides is used as a primer. Initial hybridization conditions are chosen such that the base pair mismatches around the restriction site are tolerated. Mismatches near the 5'-end are tolerated better than those near the 3'-end of a primer. The oligonucleotides KY65 (SEQ ID NO. 1), KY98 (SEQ ID NO. 3), KY96 (SEQ ID NO. 4), and KY67 (SEQ ID NO. 10) are upstream primers and contain a HindIII site. The oligonucleotides KY95 (SEQ ID NO. 20), KY99 (SEQ ID NO. 26), and KY68 (SEQ ID NO. 27) are downstream primers and contain an EcoRI site. The incorporation of such restriction sites into the amplified product facilitates cloning of the amplified product.

The present invention also provides a new HCV isolate. Most isolates are related to one of two strains of HCV. The first is a U.S. prototype strain described in European Publication Nos. 318,216 (published May 31, 1989), 388,232 (published Sep. 19, 1990), and 398,748 (published Nov. 22, 1990). The second is a Japanese strain described by Kato et al., supra. The two strains differ by up to 30% in regions of putative nonstructural genes, but show greater than 98% hornology in the 5' untranslated region and 92% hornology in the 5' portion of the capsid or core gene.

The isolate of the present invention, termed here C9, is more distantly related to both strains. This new isolate, is 93% similar to the consensus 5' untranslated region. It has only about 85% hornology in the 5' portion of the core gene region with either the prototype or the Japanese strain (see, Table 3, below).

The C9 (SEQ ID NO. 29) variant and related isotypes, R45 (SEQ ID No. 31 ), R43 (SEQ ID NO. 33), R110 (SEQ ID NO. 32), and R116 (SEQ ID NO. 30) (see FIG. 1), were cloned into the RI/HindIII restriction sites in pBS(+) purchased from Stratagene as described above. The variant viruses were cloned using purified viral DNA targets and PCR cloning methods as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,800,159, incorporated herein by reference. The resulting plasmids were transformed into E. coli strain DG 101 (ATCC Deposit No. 47043).

Nucleotide sequences from the 5' untranslated sequence and the 5'-end of the capsid gene of the prototype C9 isolate and four related isolates are disclosed in C9 (SEQ ID NO. 29), R116 (SEQ ID NO. 30), R45 (SEQ ID NO. 31), R110 (SEQ ID NO. 32), and R43 (SEQ ID. NO. 33) and show below. The sequences shown do not include primers KY96 (SEQ ID NO. 4) and KY99 (SEQ ID NO. 26), which were used to facilitate cloning the viral sequences.

    __________________________________________________________________________     C9 - SEQ ID NO. 29                                                              1 ACTGTCTTCA CGCAGAAAGC GTCTAGCCAT GGCGTTAGTA TGAGTGTCGT                       51                                                                               ACAGCCTCCA GGCCCCCCCC TCCCGGGAGA GCCATAGTGG TCTGCGGAAC                      101                                                                               CGGTGAGTAC ACCGGAATTA CCGGAAAGAC TGGGTCCTTT CTTGGATAAA                      151                                                                               CCCACTCTGT GTCCGGTCAT TTGGGCGTGC CCCCGCAAGA CTGCTAGCCG                      201                                                                               AGTAGCGTTG GGTTGCGAAA GGCCTTGTGG TACTGCCTGA TAGGGTGCTT                      251                                                                               GCGAGTGCCC CGGGAGGTCT CGTAGACCGT GCATCATGAG CACAAATCCT                      301                                                                               AAACCTCAAA GAAAAACCAA AAGAAACACA AACCGCCGCC CACAGGACGT                      351                                                                               TAAGTTTCCG GGTGGCGGCC AGATCGTTGG CGGAGTTTAC TTGCTGCCGC                      401                                                                               GCAGGGGCCC CAGGTTGGGT GTGCGCGCGA CAAGAAAGAC TTCCGAGCGA                      451                                                                               TCCCAGCCGC GTGGGAGACG CCAGCCCATC CCAAAAGATC GGCGCTCCAC                      501                                                                               CGGCAAGTCC TGGGGAAAGC CAGGAT                                                R116 - SEQ ID NO. 30                                                            1 GGCGTTAGTA TGAGTGTCGT ACAGCCTCCA GGCCCCCCCC TCCCGGGAGA                       51                                                                               GCCATAGTGG TCTGCGGAAC CGGTGAGTAC GCCGAATTAC CGGAAAGACT                      101                                                                               GGGTCCTTTC TTGGATAAAC CCACTCTATG TCCGGTCATT TGGGCGTCCC                      151                                                                               CCGCAAGACT GCTAGCCGAG TAGCGTTGGG TTGCGAAAGG CCTTGTGGTA                      201                                                                               CTGCCTGATA GGGTGCTTGC GAGTGCCCCG GGAGGTCTCG TAGACCGTGC                      251                                                                               ATCATGAGCA CAGATCCTAA ACCTCAAAGA AAAACCAAAA GAAATACAAA                      301                                                                               CCGCCGCCCA CAGGACGTCA AGTTCCCGGG TGGCGGCCAG ATCGTTGGCG                      351                                                                               GAGTTTACTT GCTGCCGCGC AGGGGCCCCA GGTTGGGTGT GCGCACAACA                      401                                                                               AGGAAGACTT CCGAGCGATC CCAGCCGCGT GGAAGACGCC AGCCCATCCC                      451                                                                               GAAAGATCGG CGCTCCACCG GTAAGTCCTG GGGAAAGCCA GGAT                            R45 - SEQ ID NO. 31                                                             1 GGCGTTAGTA TGAGTGTCGT ACAGCCTCCA GGCCCCCCCC TCCCGGGAGA                       51                                                                               GCCATAGTGG TCTGCGGAAC CGGTGAGTAC GCCGAATTGC CGGAAAGACT                      101                                                                               GGGTCCTTTC TTGGATAAAC CCACTCTATG TCCGGTCATT TGGGCGTCCC                      151                                                                               CCGCAAGACT GCTAGCCGAG TAGCGTTGGG TTGCGAAAGG CCTTGTGGTA                      201                                                                               CTGCCTGATA GGGTGCTTGC GAGTGCCCAG GGAGGTCTCG TAGACCGTGC                      251                                                                               ATCATGAGCA CAAATCCTAA ACCCCAAAGA AAAACCAAAA GAAACACAAA                      301                                                                               CCGCCGCCCA CAGGACGTTA AGTTCCCGGG TGGCGGCCAG ATCGTTGGCG                      351                                                                               GAGTTTACTT GATGCCGCGC AGGGGCCCCA GGTTGGGTGT GCGCGCGACG                      401                                                                               AGGAAGACTT CCGAGCGATC CCAGCCGCGT GGGAGACGCC AGCCCATCCC                      451                                                                               GAAAGATCGG CGTTCCACCG GCAAGTCCTG GGGAAAGCCA GGAT                            R110 - SEQ ID NO. 32                                                            1 GGCGTTAGTA TGAGTGTCGT ACAGCCTCCA GGCCCCCCCC TCCCGGGAGA                       51                                                                               GCCATAGTGG TCTGCGGAAC CGGTGAGTAC GCCGAATTGC CGGAAAGACT                      101                                                                               GGGTCCTTTC TTGGATTAAC CCACTCTATG TCCGGTCATT TGGGCGTCCC                      151                                                                               CCGCAAGACT GCTAGCCTAG TAGCGTTGGG TTGCGAACGG CCTTGTGGTA                      201                                                                               CTGCCTGATA GGGTGCTTGC GAGTGCCCCG GGAGGTCTCG TAGACCGTGC                      251                                                                               ATCATGAGCA CAAATCCTAA ACCTCAAAGA AAAACCAAAA GAAACACAAA                      301                                                                               CCGCCGCCCA CAGGACGTCA AGTTCCCGGG AGGCGGTCAG ATCGTTGGCG                      351                                                                               GAGTTTACTT GCTGCCGCGC AGGGGCCCCA GGTTGGGTGT GCGCGCGACA                      401                                                                               AGGAAGACTT CCGAGCGATC CCAGCCGCGT GGGAGACGCC AGCCCATCCC                      451                                                                               GAAAGATCGG CGCTCCACCG GCAAGTCCTG GGGAAAGCCA GGAT                            R43 - SEQ ID NO. 33                                                             1 GGCGTTAGTA TGAGTGTCGT ACAGCCTCCA GGCCCCCCCC TCCCGGGAGA                       51                                                                               GCCATAGTGG TCTGCGGAAC CGGTGAGTAC ACCGAATTAC CGGAAAGACT                      101                                                                               GGGTCCTTTC TTGGATAAAC CCACTCTATC TCCGGTCATT TGGGCGTCCC                      151                                                                               CCGCAAGACT GCTAGCCTAG TAGCGTTGGG TTGCGAACGG CCTTGTGGTA                      201                                                                               CTGCCTGATA GGGTGCTTGC GAGTGCCCCG GGAGGTCTCG TAGACCGTGC                      251                                                                               ATCATGAGCA CAAATCCTAA ACCTCAAAGA AAAACCAAAA GAAACACAAA                      301                                                                               CCGCCGCCCA CAGGACGTCA AGTTCCCGGG TGGCGGCCAG ATCGTTGGCG                      351                                                                               GAGTTTACTT GCTGCCGCGC AGGGGCCCCA GGTTGGGTGT GCGCGCGACA                      401                                                                               AGGAAGACTT CCGAACGGTC CCAGCCGCGT GGGAGGCGCC AGCCCATCCC                      451                                                                               AAAAGATCGG CGCTCCACCG GCAAGTCCTG GGGAAAGCCA GGAT                            __________________________________________________________________________

Clones containing the viral sequences have been deposited with the American Type Culture Collection, Baltimore, Md. as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                          Plasmid    ATCC     Date of                                   Isolate                                                                              SEQ ID NO. Designation                                                                               Deposit No.                                                                             Deposit                                   ______________________________________                                         C9    29         pHCV-C9    75265    July 2, 1992                              R110  32         pHCV-R110  75266    July 2, 1992                              ______________________________________                                    

Plasmid pHCV-C9 contains the novel variant C9 sequence. The alignment of the four related variants with the C9 sequences is shown in FIG. 1. The source of the sequence data for known isolates was as follows: HCV-J1, HCV-J4 (Okamoto et al., 1990, Japan J. Exp. Med. 6(3):167-177); HCV-J (Kato etal., 1990, Mol. Biol. Med. 7:495-501); HCV-BK (Takamizawa et al., 1991, J. Virol. 65:1105-1113); and HCV-1 US-PT (Hah et al., 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:1711-1715) The numbering is according to Kato et al., 1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:9524-9528.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Determination of nucleotide and amino acid sequence                            homology of C9 isolate to prototype US (PT-HCV) and                            Japanese isolates (J-HCV).                                                     Sequences   Isolate     PT-HCV   J-HCV                                         ______________________________________                                         5' UTR                                                                         nucleotide (255)                                                                           C9          92.9%    92.9%                                                     J-HCV       98.8%    --                                            Core                                                                           nucleotide (244)                                                                           C9          84.3%    85.1%                                                     J-HCV       92.1%    --                                            amino acid (80)                                                                            C9          91.3%    90.0%                                                     J-HCV       98.7%    --                                            ______________________________________                                    

Thus, the present invention provides materials and methods for assays that are specific to the C9 isolate and distinguish the isolate from other hepatitis isolates. In some embodiments the methods of the invention are based on nucleic acid hybridization with or without the use of PCR to amplify the targeted sequences. In other embodiments, the methods use immunoglobulins specific to the C9 isolate.

The oligonucleotide sequences of primers and probes specific to C9 are presented in Table 4, below.

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Probes                                                                         SEQ ID NO. 37                                                                           MY 160 5'- TGTCCGGTCATTTGGGCG-3'                                                                        (nt216-233)                                  SEQ ID NO. 34                                                                           (1) 5'-TTGCCGGAAAGACTGGGTCCTTTC-3'                                                                      (nt174-197)                                  SEQ ID NO. 35                                                                           (2) 5'-CAAAAGAAACACAAACCGCCGCCC-3'                                                                      (nt374-397)                                  SEQ ID NO. 36                                                                           (3) 5'-CCAGCCCATCCCGAAAGATCGGCG-3'                                                                      (nt527-550)                                  Upstream Primers                                                               SEQ ID NO. 38                                                                           (1) 5'-AAACCCACTCTATGTCCGGTC-3'                                                                         (nt204-224)                                  SEQ ID NO. 39                                                                           (2) 5'-GTACGCCGGAATTGCCGGAAA-3'                                                                         (nt163-183)                                  SEQ ID NO. 40                                                                           (3) 5'-CCTCAAAGAAAAACCAAAAGA-3'                                                                         (nt360-380)                                  Downstream Primers                                                             SEQ ID NO. 41                                                                           (4) 5'-TGGCGTCTCCCACGCGGCTGG-3'                                                                         (nt509-529)                                  SEQ ID NO. 42                                                                           (5) 5'-CTTTCCCCAGGACCTGCCGGT-3'                                                                         (nt555-575)                                  __________________________________________________________________________

The numbering system used to identify the nucleotides is from Kato et al., 1990, Proc. Natl, Acad. Sci., supra.

One oligonucleotide, KY 150 (SEQ ID NO. 43), is useful for the detection of both the C9 isolate and the previously known HCV protype isolates. This oligonucleotide has the following sequence:

5'-CATAGTGGTCTGCGGAACCGGTGAGT-3'.

It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that any upstream/downstream primer pair shown in Table 4 is suitable for specifically amplifying the C9 isolate and related isotypes. It will be additionally apparent to select a C9-specific probe suitable for hybridizing the amplified nucleic acid subsequence using as guidance the nucleotide positions provided in Table 4.

In a preferred embodiment, the primers of the invention are used in conjunction with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the target nucleic acid. Because HCV is an RNA virus, the first step in the amplification is the synthesis of a DNA copy (eDNA) of the region to be amplified. Reverse transcription can be carried out as a separate step, or, as described below, in a homogeneous reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), a modification of the polymerase chain reaction for amplifying RNA.

Although the PCR process is well known in the art (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195; 4,683,202; and 4,965,188, each of which is incorporated herein by reference) and although commercial vendors, such as Perkin Ehner, sell PCR reagents manufactured and developed by Hoffmann-La Roche and publish PCR protocols, some general PCR information is provided below for purposes of clarity and full understanding of the invention for those unfamiliar with the PCR process.

To amplify a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample by PCR, the sequence must be accessible to the components of the amplification system. In general, this accessibility is ensured by isolating the nucleic acids from the sample. A variety of techniques for extracting ribonucleic acids from biological samples are known in the art. For example, see those described in Rotbart et al., 1989, in PCR Technology (Erlich ed., Stockton Press, New York) and Han et al. 1987, Biochemistry 26:1617-1625. Alternatively, if the sample is fairly readily disruptable, the nucleic acid need not be purified prior to amplification by the PCR technique, i.e., if the sample is comprised of cells, particularly peripheral blood lymphocytes or monocytes, lysis and dispersion of the intracellular components may be accomplished merely by suspending the cells in hypotonic buffer.

The first step of each cycle of the PCR involves the separation of the nucleic acid duplex. Of course, if the target nucleic acid is single-stranded, i.e., single-stranded RNA, no initial separation step is required during the first cycle. Once the strands are separated, the next step in PCR involves hybridizing the separated strands with primers that flank the target sequence. The primers are then extended to form complementary copies of the target strands. For successful PCR amplification, the primers are designed so that the position at which each primer hybridizes along a duplex sequence is such that an extension product synthesized from one primer, when separated from the template (complement), serves as a template for the extension of the other primer. The cycle of denaturation, hybridization, and extension is repeated as many times as necessary to obtain the desired amount of amplified nucleic acid.

In the preferred embodiment of the PCR process, strand separation is achieved by heating the reaction to a sufficiently high temperature for an sufficient time to cause the denaturation of the duplex but not to cause an irreversible denaturation of the polymerase (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,188). Typical heat denaturation involves temperatures ranging from about 80° C. to 105° C. or times ranging from seconds to minutes. Strand separation, however, can be accomplished by any suitable denaturing method including physical, chemical, or enzymatic means. Strand separation may be induced by a helicase, for example, or an enzyme capable of exhibiting helicase activity. For example, the enzyme RecA has helicase activity in the presence of ATP. The reaction conditions suitable for strand separation by helicases are known in the art (see Kuhn Hoffman-Berling, 1978, CSH-Quantitative Biology 43:63-67; and Radding, 1982, Ann. Rev. Genetics 16:405-436).

Template-dependent extension of primers in PCR is catalyzed by a polymerizing agent in the presence of adequate amounts of four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (typically dATP, dGTP, dCTP, and dTTP) in a reaction medium comprised of the appropriate salts, metal cations, and pH buffering system. Suitable polymerizing agents are enzymes known to catalyze template-dependent DNA synthesis. Because Hepatitis C is an RNA virus, the initial template for primer extension is RNA. Polymerizing agents suitable for synthesizing a complementary, copy-DNA (cDNA) sequence from the RNA template are reverse transcriptase (RT), such as avian myeloblastosis virus RT, Moloney murine leukemia virus RT, or Thermus thermophilus (Tth) DNA polymerase, a thermostable DNA polymerase with reverse transcriptase activity marketed by Perkin Ehner. Typically, the genomic RNA/cDNA duplex template is heat denatured during the first denaturation step after the initial reverse transcription step leaving the DNA strand available as an amplification template. Suitable polymerases for use with a DNA template include, for example, E. coli DNA polymerase I or its Klenow fragment, T₄ DNA polymerase, Tth polymerase, and Taq polymerase, a heat-stable DNA polymerase isolated from Thermus aquaticus and developed and manufactured by Hoffmann-La Roche and commercially available from Perkin Ehner. The latter enzyme is widely used in the amplification and sequencing of nucleic acids. The reaction conditions for using Taq polymerase are known in the art and are described in Gelfand, 1989, PCR Technology, supra.

When RNA is amplified, an initial reverse transcription (RT) step is carried out to create a DNA copy (cDNA) of the RNA. PCT patent publication No. WO 91/09944, published Jul. 11, 1991, incorporated herein by reference, describes high-temperature reverse transcription by a thermostable polymerase that also functions in PCR amplification. High-temperature RT provides greater primer specificity and improved efficiency. Copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/746,121, filed August 15, 1991, incorporated herein by reference, describes a "homogeneous RTPCR" in which the same primers and polymerase suffice for both the reverse transcription and the PCR amplification steps, and the reaction conditions are optimized so that both reactions occur without a change of reagents. Thermus thermophilus DNA polymerase, a thermostable DNA polymerase that can function as a reverse transcriptase, is used for all primer extension steps, regardless of template. Both processes can be done without having to open the tube to change or add reagents; only the temperature profile is adjusted between the first cycle (RNA template) and the rest of the amplification cycles (DNA template).

The 5' terminal end of the HCV genome is predicted to have significant secondary structure that could hinder reverse transcription with a reverse transcriptase such as Moloney murine leukenfia virus RT by interfering with primer hybridization. Unfortunately, raising the reaction temperature to denature the secondary structure also inactivates most reverse transcriptase enzymes. The use of the reverse transcriptase activity of recombinant Thermus thermonhilus (rTth) DNA polymerase allows the cDNA synthesis to take place at elevated temperatures without enzyme inactivation. The primers of the present invention remain hybridized to the RNA template at this elevated reverse transcription temperature.

The PCR method can be performed in a step-wise fashion, where after each step new reagents are added, or in a fashion where all of the reagents are added simultaneously, or in a partial step-wise fashion, where fresh or different reagents are added after a given number of steps. For example, if strand separation is induced by heat, and the polymerase is heat-sensitive, then the polymerase has to be added after every round of strand separation. However, if, for example, a helicase is used for denaturation, or if a thermostable polymerase is used for extension, then all of the reagents may be added initially, or, alternatively, if molar ratios of reagents are of consequence to the reaction, the reagents may be replenished periodically as they are depleted by the synthetic reaction.

Those skilled in the art will know that the PCR process is most usually carried out as an automated process with a thermostable enzyme. In this process, the temperature of the reaction mixture is cycled through a denaturing region, a primer annealing region, and an extension reaction region. Alternatively, the annealing and extension temperature can be the same. The RT-PCR described in the examples uses such a two-step temperature cycling. A machine specifically adapted for use with a thermostable enzyme is commercially available from Perkin Ehner.

Those skilled in the art will also be aware of the problems of contamination of a PCR by the amplified nucleic acid from previous reactions and nonspecific amplification. Methods to reduce these problems are provided in PCT patent application Ser. No. 91/05210, filed Jul. 23, 1991, incorporated herein by reference. The method allows the enzymatic degradation of any amplified DNA from previous reactions and reduces nonspecific amplification. The PCR amplification is carried out in the presence of dUTP instead of dTTP. The resulting double-stranded, uracil-containing product is subject to degradation by uracil N-glycosylase (UNG), whereas normal thymine-containing DNA is not degraded by UNG. Adding UNG to the amplification reaction mixture before the amplification is started degrades all uracil-containing DNA that might serve as target. Because the only source of uracil-containing DNA is the amplified product of a previous reaction, this method effectively sterilizes the reaction mixture, eliminating the problem of contamination from previous reactions (carry-over). UNG itself is rendered temporarily inactive by heat, so the denaturation steps in the amplification procedure also serve to inactivate the UNG. New amplification products, therefore, though incorporating uracil, are formed in an effectively UNG-free environment and are not degraded.

A preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a homogeneous RT/PCR method which incorporates a sterilization step. This one tube, non-addition reaction serves to sterilize the RT-PCR reaction preventing carryover contamination and providing amplified detectable PCR product from a sample containing an RNA target. This method is exemplified in Example 6.

Those practicing the present invention should note that, although the preferred embodiment incorporates RT-PCR amplification, amplification of target sequences in a sample may be accomplished by any known method, such as ligase chain reaction (LCR), transcription amplification, and self-sustained sequence replication, each of which provides sufficient amplification so that the target sequence can be detected by nucleic acid hybridization to an SSO probe. Alternatively, methods that amplify the probe to detectable levels can be used, such as Qβ-replicase amplification. The term "probe" encompasses the sequence specific oligonucleotides used in the above procedures; for instance, the two or more oligonucleotides used in LCR are "probes" for purposes of the present invention, even though some embodiments of LCR only require ligation of the probes to indicate the presence of an allele.

Sequence-specific probe hybridization is an important step in the successful performance of the present methods. The sequence specific oligonucleotide probes of the present invention hybridize specifically with a particular segment of the ItCV genome and have destabilizing mismatches with the sequences from other organisms. Under sufficiently stringent hybridization conditions, the probes hybridize specifically only to exactly complementary sequences. The stringency of the hybridization conditions can be relaxed to tolerate varying amounts of sequence mismatch. Detection of the amplified product utilizes this sequence-specific hybridization to insure detection of only the correct amplified target, thereby decreasing the chance of a false positive caused by the presence of homologous sequences from related organisms.

The assay methods for detecting hybrids formed between SSO probes and nucleic acid sequences can require that the probes contain additional features in addition to the hybridizing region. For example, if the probe is first immobilized, as in the "reverse" dot blot format described below, the probe can also contain long stretches of poly-dT that can be fixed to a nylon support by irradiation, a technique described in more detail in PCT Patent Publication No. 89/11548, incorporated herein by reference. In the dot blot format, immobilized target is hybridized with probes containing a compound used in the detection process, as discussed below.

The probes of the invention can be synthesized and labeled using the techniques described above for synthesizing oligonucleotides. The probe can be labeled at the 5' end with ³² P by incubating the probe with ³² P-ATP and kinase. A suitable nonradioactive label for SSO probes is horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Methods for preparing and detecting probes containing this label are described in the Examples below and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,914,210 and 4,962,029; the latter patents are incorporated herein by reference. For additional information on the use of such labeled probes, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,630; Saiki et al, 1988, N. Eng. J. Med. 319:537-541; and Bugawan et al., 1988, Bio/Technology 6:943-947, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Useful chromogens include red leuco dye and 3, 3', 5, 5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB).

The probes of the invention can be used to determine if viral sequences are present in a sample by determining if the SSO probes bind to the viral sequences present in the sample. Suitable assay methods for purposes of the present invention to detect hybrids formed between SSO probes and nucleic acid sequences in a sample are known in the art. For example, the detection can be accomplished using a dot blot format, as described in the Examples. In the dot blot format, the unlabeled amplified sample is bound to a solid support, such as a membrane, the membrane incubated with labeled probe under suitable hybridization conditions, the unhybridized probe removed by washing, and the filter monitored for the presence of bound probe. When multiple samples are analyzed with a single probe, the dot blot format is quite useful. Many samples can be immobilized at discrete locations on a single membrane and hybridized simultaneously by immersing the membrane in a solution of probe.

An alternate method that is quite useful when large numbers of different probes are to be used is a "reverse" dot blot format, in which the amplified sequence contains a label, and the probe is bound to the solid support. This format would be useful if the test of the present invention were used as one of a battery of tests to be performed simultaneously. In this format, the unlabeled SSO probes are bound to the membrane and exposed to the labeled sample under appropriately stringent hybridization conditions. Unhybridized labeled sample is then removed by washing under suitably stringent conditions, and the filter is then monitored for the presence of bound sequences.

Both the forward and reverse dot blot assays can be carried out conveniently in a microliter plate; see U.S. Ser. No. 695,072, filed May 3, 1991, which is a CIP of U.S. Ser. No. 414,542, filed Sep. 29, 1989, now abandoned, incorporated herein by reference. The probes can be attached to bovine serum albumen (BSA), for example, which adheres to the microliter plate, thereby immobilizing the probe.

Another suitable assay system is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 563,758, filed Aug. 6, 1990, incorporated herein by reference, in which a labeled probe is added during the PCR amplification process. Any SSO probe that hybridizes to target DNA during each synthesis step is degraded by the 5' to 3' exonuclease activity of a polymerase, e.g., Taq polymerase. The degradation product from the probe is then detected. Thus, the presence of the breakdown product indicates that the hybridization between the SSO probe and the target DNA occurred.

The nucleotide sequences provided above are an important aspect of the present invention. Although only one strand of the sequence is shown, those of skill in the art recognize that the other strand of the sequence can be inferred from the information depicted above. This information enables the construction of other probes and primers of the invention.

The present invention also relates to kits, multicontainer units comprising useful components for practicing the present method. A useful kit can contain SSO probes for detecting Hepatitis C virus nucleic acid. In some cases, the SSO probes may be fixed to an appropriate support membrane. The kit can also contain primers for RT-PCR, as such primers are useful in the preferred embodiment of the invention. Other optional components of the kit include, for example, reverse-transcriptase or polymerase, the substrate nucleoside triphosphates, means used to label (for example, an avidin-enzyme conjugate and enzyme substrate and chromogen if the label is biotin), and the appropriate buffers for reverse transcription, PCR, or hybridization reactions. In addition to the above components, the kit can also contain instructions for carrying out the present method.

In addition to the use of PCR and nucleic acid probes, the present invention also provides methods for raising immunoglobulins specific for particular HCV isolates. This is typically accomplished by first expressing vital nucleotide sequences and then using the expressed proteins to raise antibodies specific to the desired isolate.

The nucleotide sequences of the hepatitis isolates can be used in a variety of recombinant expression systems. In this manner, desired genes, such as the capsid gene, can be expressed. Recombinant expression of nucleotide sequences in prokaryotic or eukaryotic hosts is well known in the art (see Sambrook et al., supra.). The expressed proteins can be used to raise immunoglobulins specific to the isolate. The immunoglobulins can then be used in assays to detect the presence of the virus, as described below. The proteins can also be used to detect the presence of antibodies in patients exposed to the virus.

The desired viral sequences are conveniently inserted into a suitable vector before transformation using standard techniques into mammalian, yeast or insect cell lines for expression. Prokaryotes are preferably used for intermediate cloning steps.

The particular procedure used to introduce the altered genetic material into the host cell for expression of the viral sequences is not particularly critical. Any of the well known procedures for introducing foreign nucleotide sequences into host cells may be used. These include the use of calcium phosphate transfection, polybrene, protoplast fusion, electroporation, liposomes, microinjection, plasmid vectors, viral vectors and any of the other well known methods For introducing cloned genomic DNA, cDNA, synthetic DNA or other foreign genetic material into a host cell (see Sambrook et al., supra). It is only necessary that the particular genetic engineering procedure utilized be capable of successfully introducing into the host cell at least one gene that is capable of expressing the desired viral protein.

The particular vector used to transport the genetic information into the cell is also not particularly critical. Any of the conventional vectors used For expression of recombinant proteins in eukaryotic cells may be used.

The expression vector contains a eukaryotic transcription unit or expression cassette that contains all the elements required for the expression of the viral nucleic acid sequences in eukaryotic cells. A typical expression cassette contains a promoter operably linked to the DNA sequence encoding a viral protein and signals required for efficient polydenylation of the transcript.

The vectors usually comprise selectable markers such us the sodium, potassium ATPase, thymidine kinase, aminoglycoside phosphotransferase, hygromycin B phosphotransferase, xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase, CAD (carbamyl phosphate synthetase, aspartate transcarbamylase, and dihydroorotase), adenosine deaminase, DHFR, and asparagine synthetase and ouabain selection.

The expression vector of the present invention will typically contain both prokaryotic sequences that facilitate the cloning of the vector in bacteria as well as one or more eukaryotic transcription units that are expressed only in eukaryotic cells, such as mammalian cells. The vector may or may not comprise a eukaryotic replicon. If a eukaryotic replicon is present, then the vector is amplifiable in eukaryotic cells using the appropriate selectable marker. If the vector does not comprise a eukaryotic replicon, no episomal amplification is possible. Instead, the transfected DNA integrates into the genome of the transfected cell, where the promoter directs expression of the desired gene. The expression vector is typically constructed from elements derived from different, well-characterized viral or mammalian genes. For a general discussion of the expression of cloned genes in cultured mammalian cells, see Sambrook et al., supra, Ch. 16.

After the expression vector is introduced into the cells, the transfected cells are cultured under conditions favoring expression of the viral protein and the protein is recovered from the culture using standard techniques. A number of standard procedures for purifying proteins can be used, such as, for example, ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel electrophoresis, ion exchange chromatography, size exclusion chromatography or affinity chromatography. See, generally, Scopes, R., Protein Purification, Springer-Verlag, N.Y. (1982).

In addition to the use of proteins encoded by the desired viral genome, peptides that mimic epitopes specific to the virus can also be used to raise antibodies specific to the virus. Such technology is well known to those of skill in the art and is described, for instance, in Geysen et al., Multipin Peptide Synthesis--A Review, Coselco Mimotypes, PTY Ltd., which is incorporated herein by reference.

The polypeptides discussed above are then used to raise antibodies using standard procedures. The immunoglobulins may be used for a variety of applications. For instance, they can be used to assay for the presence of the virus in a biological sample or to purify the viral antigens, for example, using affinity chromatography. They may also be used to neutralize the corresponding protein, including inhibition of infectiousness of the entire virus. The multitude of techniques available to those skilled in the art for production and manipulation of various immunoglobulin molecules can thus be readily applied to produce molecules useful for diagnosis and detection of the particular isolate.

As used herein, the term "immunoglobulin" refers to a protein consisting of one or more polypeptides substantially encoded by inununoglobulin genes. The recognized immunoglobulin genes include the kappa, lambda, alpha, gamma, delta, epsilon and mu constant region genes, as well as the myriad immunoglobulin variable region genes. Immunoglobulins may exist in a variety of forms besides antibodies, including for example, Fv, Fab, and F(ab)₂, as well as in single chains (e.g., Huston et al., 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5879-5883; Bird et al., 1988, Science 242:423-426; and Hunkapiller and Hood, 1986, Nature 323:15-16, which are incorporated herein by reference). For a general review of in-ununoglobulin structure and function see, Fundamental hnmunology, 2d Ed., W. E. Paul ed., Ravens Press, N.Y., (1989).

Antibodies that bind epitopes specific to the desired isolate may be produced by a variety of means. The production of nonhuman monoclonal antibodies, e.g., murine, lagomorpha, equine, etc., is well known and may be accomplished by, for example, immunizing the animal with a preparation containing the virus or a fragment thereof. Antibody-producing cells obtained from the immunized animals are immortalized and screened using standard techniques. For a discussion of general procedures of monoclonal antibody production see Harlow and Lane, Antibidies, A Laboratory Manual Cold Spring Harbor Publications, N.Y. (1988), which is incorporated herein by reference.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to transfer the antigen binding regions of the nonhuman antibodies, e.g., the F(ab')₂ or hypervariable regions, to human constant regions (Fc) or framework regions by recombinant DNA techniques to produce substantially human molecules. Such methods are generally known in the art and are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,397, EP publications 173,494 and 239,400, which are incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, one may isolate DNA sequences that encode a human monoclonal antibody or portions thereof that specifically bind to the virus by screening a DNA library from human B cells according to the general protocol outlined by Huse et al., 1986, Science 246:1275-1281, and then cloning and amplifying the sequences that encode the antibody (or binding fragment) of the desired specificity.

The immunoglobulins produced as described above can then be used in a variety of diagnostic assays for the presence of the hepatitis isolate. For instance, the labelled immunoglobulins specific for the C9 virus can be used in assays involving contacting the immunoglobulins with a sample suspected of containing the virus and detecting whether a complex is formed. The label may be coupled directly or indirectly to the immunoglobulin according to methods well known in the art. As discussed above in the context of labelled oligonucleotides, a wide variety of labels may be used. The component may be labeled by any one of several methods. A common method of detection is the use of autoradiography with ³ H, ¹²⁵ I, ³⁵ S, ¹⁴ C, or ³² P labeled compounds or the like. The choice of radioactive isotope depends on research preferences due to ease of synthesis, varying stability, and half-lives of the selected isotopes. Nonradioactive labels include ligands that bind to labeled antibodies, fluorophores, chemiluminescent agents, and enzymes. The choice of label depends on sensitivity required, ease of conjugation with the compound, stability requirements, and available instrumentation.

Nonradioactive labels are often attached by indirect means. Generally, a ligand molecule (e.g., biotin) is covalently bound to the molecule. The ligand then binds to an anti-ligand (e.g., streptavidin) molecule that is either inherently detectable or covalently bound to a signal system, such as a detectable enzyme, a fluorescent compound, or a chemiluminescent compound. Ligands and anti-ligands may be varied widely. Where a ligand has a natural anti-ligand, for example, biotin, thyroxine, and cortisol, it can be used in conjunction with the labeled, naturally occurring anti-ligands. Alternatively, any haptenic or antigenic compound can be used in combination with an antibody.

The molecules can also be conjugated directly to signal-generating compounds, e.g., by conjugation with an enzyme or fluorophore. Enzymes of interest as labels will primarily be hydrolases, particularly phosphatases, esterases and glycosidases, or oxidoreductases, particularly peroxidases. Fluorescent compounds include fluorescein and its derivatives, rhodamine and its derivatives, dansyl, umbelliferone, etc. Chemiluminescent compounds include luciferin, and 2,3-dihydrophthalazinediones, e.g., luminol. For a review of various signal-producing systems that may be used, see, U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,904, which is incorporated herein by reference.

To detect the presence of the complexes, the mixture will typically be contacted with a protein capable of binding the Fc region of the immunoglobulin, such as a second antibody, protein A, or protein G. The protein is preferably immobilized on a solid surface and the solid surface is washed to remove unbound immunoglobulins specific for the desired virus. Many methods for immobilizing biomolecules on solid surfaces are known in the art. For instance, the solid surface may be a membrane (e.g., nitrocellulose), a microliter dish (e.g., PVC or polystyrene) or a bead. The desired component may be covalently bound or noncovalently attached through unspecific bonding. The label is then detected using standard techniques suitable for the particular label used.

The recombinantly expressed proteins discussed above or viral lysates may also be used in diagnostic procedures. These procedures typically involve contacting a biological sample (e.g. serum) suspected of containing antibodies to the virus and detecting the immunological reaction. The reaction is preferably detected using labelled proteins as described above. Suitable methods for such procedures are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,391, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The examples of the present invention presented below are provided only for illustrative purposes and not to limit the scope of the invention. Numerous embodiments of the invention within the scope of the claims that follow the examples will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from reading the foregoing text and following examples.

EXAMPLE 1 Homogeneous RT-PCR Amplification

In the homogeneous RT-PCR, the same polymerase functions as both a reverse transcriptase and a DNA polymerase. This allows both the initial reverse transcription of the HCV genomic RNA and the subsequent amplification of the cDNA to be performed in the same tube without opening the tube in between steps to change reagents.

Nucleic acids were isolated from serum or plasma using the IsoQuick™ nucleic acid extraction kit from MicroProbe. All amplifications were done using a TC9600 Thermocycler™ and MicroAmp™ tubes, both from Perkin Ehner, in total reaction volumes of 20 μl. The reagents for each 20 μl reaction are listed in Table 5, below.

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         RT-PCR Reaction Mixture                                                        ______________________________________                                         H.sub.2 O                    6.3 μl                                         1OX RT Reaction Buffer (100 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.3),                                                           2.0 μl                                         900 mM KCl)                                                                    MnCl.sub.2 (10 mM, 0.85 mM final concentration)                                                             1.7 μl                                         dNTP (2 mM each of dATP, dCTP, dGTP, and dTTP in                                                            2.0 μl                                         H.sub.2 O, pH 7.0)                                                             Primer KY78 (SEQ ID NO. 18) (1.5 μM in H.sub.2 O,                                                        2.0 μl                                         3 picomole/reaction final concentration)                                       Primer KY80 (SEQ ID NO. 5) (1.5 μM in H.sub.2 O,                                                         2.0 μl                                         3 picomole/reaction final concentration)                                       rTth DNA polymerase (Perkin Elmer, Norwalk, CT;                                                             2.0 μl                                         0.18 μM or 2.5 units/μl in 1X Enzyme storage buffer                      (20 μM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 100 mM KCl, 0.1 μM EDTA,                       1 μM DTT, 0.2% Tween 20 (Pierce Surfactants), 50%                           glycerol [v/v])                                                                Template nucleic acid (<250 ng total in dH.sub.2 O)                                                         2.0 μl                                         ______________________________________                                    

The TC9600 was programmed to provide the following reaction temperature profile. After preheating to 70° C. for 1 minute, the program was paused long enough to insert the reaction tubes, the program was restarred, and the reaction was held at 70° C. for 15 minutes to allow for reverse transcription. The reaction temperature was then raised to 95° C. for 1 minute to denature the RNA-cDNA duplex. Next, the reaction temperature underwent two cycles of 95° C. for 15 seconds and 60° C. for 20 seconds followed by 38 cycles of 90° C. for 15 seconds and 60° C. for 20 seconds. Finally, the reaction temperature was held at 60° C. for 4 minutes for the final extension step, cooled to 15° C., and held at that temperature until the analysis of the amplified sample could be performed.

EXAMPLE 2 Dot Blot Format

In this detection method, a small portion of the amplified DNA is denatured and applied to a nylon filter, which is then hybridized to a labeled probe. The probe hybridizing region is KY88 (SEQ ID NO. 12), and the probe is radioactivity labeled with ³² P. Alternatively, the probe can be covalently conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to provide a means of nonisotopic detection in the presence of a chromogenic or chemiluminescent substrate.

The amplification reaction is generally carried out as described in Example 1. The PCR-amplified product is then denatured by treatment with alkali. To 5 μl of PCR product is added 5 μl of 0.5M EDTA, pH 8.0, 8 μl of 5N NaOH, and 82 μl H₂ O. The mixture is allowed to stand at room temperature for 10 minutes to complete the denaturation.

BioDyne™ B nylon filters (Pall Corp., Glen Cove, N.Y.) are prepared by soaking in H₂ O for 5 to 10 minutes and further rinsing with 200 μl of H₂ O after the dot-blot manifold (Bio-Dot™ from Bio Rad, Richmond, Calif.) has been set up. After denaturation, 100 μl of the sample mixture is applied under vacuum to the nylon membrane using the dot blot apparatus. Each well is then rinsed with 200 μl of 0.4N NaOH and the entire filter is rinsed briefly with 2× SSC, and air-dried until no pools of liquid are left. The DNA is immobilized and cross-linked to the nylon filter by ultraviolet irradiation at a flux of 1200 mJ/cm² with a Stratalinker™ (Stratagene, La. Jolla, Calif.) UV light box (the "autocrosslink" setting).

Filters are "pre-hybridized" by soaking in the hybridization buffer (5× SSPE, 5× Denhardt's solution, 1% SDS, 50 μl herring sperm DNA) in heat-sealable bags at 50° C. (air shaker) for at least 30 minutes. The buffer is then replaced with an equal amount of the same solution containing 1-2×10⁵ cpm/ml probe, and the filter is allowed to hybridize between 2 hours and overnight at 50° C.

After hybridization, filters are washed three times in 2× SSPE/0.1% SDS; twice for 20 minutes at room temperature, and then once for twenty minutes at the high stringency temperature of 60° C. The filters are then blotted dry, wrapped in plastic wrap, and exposed to X-ray film at -70° C. with one or two intensifying screens.

An alternate method of visualization is to hybridize with horseradish peroxidase conjugated oligonucleotide probes, prepared as described by Levenson and Chang, 1989, in PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications (Innis et al., eds., Academic Press, San Diego), pages 92-112, and Saiki et al., 1988, N. Eng. J. Med. 319:537-541, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Hybridization is carried out with 2 pmoles of HRP-SSO probe per 5 ml of hybridization solution.

After washing, filters to be developed with a chromogenic dye substrate are rinsed in 100 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0, then placed in 100 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0, containing 0.1 mg/ml of 3,3', 5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine per milliliter (Fluka) and 0.0015 percent hydrogen peroxide, and incubated with gentle agitation for 10 to 30 minutes at room temperature. Developed filters are rinsed in water and immediately photographed. The TMB detection system is prepared and used substantially as described in the AmpliType™ DQα DNA typing kit marketed by Perkin Ehner. In another embodiment, filters are developed with the chemiluminescent detection system (ECL; Amersham, Arlington Heights, Ill.). Filters are rinsed in PBS for 5 minutes and placed in the ECL solution for 1 minute with gentle agitation. Filters are then exposed to X-ray film at room temperature for 1 to 5 minutes.

EXAMPLE 3 Reverse Dot Blot Format

In this embodiment of the invention, the probe hybridization region is KY88 (SEQ ID NO. 12), KY150 (SEQ ID NO. 43), or MY160 (SEQ ID NO.37), and the probe is fixed to a membrane. The amplified target DNA is hybridized to the membrane-bound probe as described in copending application Ser. Nos. 197,000 and 347,495; Saiki et al., 1989, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 86:6230-6234; and in the product insert of the AmpliType® DQalpha DNA typing kit marketed by Perkin Elmer, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The amplification primers are biotinylated, as described in Levenson and Chang, 1989, supra, so that any amplified DNA that hybridizes to the membrane-bound probes can be easily detected.

In one embodiment, detection is carried out by reacting streptavidin conjugated horseradish peroxidase (SA-HRP) with any biotinylated, amplified DNA hybridized to the membrane-bound probe. The HRP thus becomes bound, through the SA-biotin interaction, to the amplified DNA and can be used to generate a signal by a variety of well-known means, such as the generation of a colored compound by the oxidation of tetramethylbenzidine (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,630).

Although the probe can be fixed to the membrane by any means, a preferred method involves "tailing" the probe hybridizing region with a much longer sequence of poly-dT. The resulting poly-dT "tail" can then be reacted with amine groups on a nylon membrane to fix the probe covalently to the membrane. This reaction can be facilitated by UV irradiation.

Terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase (TdT, Ratliff Biochemicals; for the reactions below assume a concentration of about 120 Units/μl, which is 100 pmole/μl) can be used to create a poly-dT tail on a probe, although one can also synthesize the tailed probe on a commercially available DNA synthesizer. When one uses a DNA synthesizer to make the tailed probe, however, one should place the tail on the 5'-end of the probe, so that undesired premature chain termination occurs primarily in the tail region.

TdT reactions should be carried out in a volume of about 100 μl containing 1× TdT salts, 200 pmole of oligonucleotide, 800 μM DTT, and 60 units of TdT. 10× TdT salts is 1,000 mM K-cacodylate, 10 mM COCl₂, 2 mM dithiothreitol, 250 mM Tris-Cl, pH 7.6, and is prepared as described by Roychoudhury and Wu, Meth. Enzymol. 65:43-62, incorporated herein by reference. A 10× stock solution of 8 mM dTTP can be prepared (neutralized to pH 7 with NaOH) for convenience.

The TdT reaction should be carried out at 37° C. for two hours and then stopped by the addition of 100 μl of 10 mM EDTA, pH 8. The final concentration of tailed oligonucleotide is 1 μM (1 pmole/μl), and the length of the homopolymer tail is about 400 residues. Tail length can be changed by adjusting the molar ratio of dTTP to oligonucleotide. The tailed probes can be stored at -20° C. until use.

The nylon membrane prefected for the reverse dot blot format is the Biodyne™ B nylon membrane, 0.45 micron pore size, manufactured by Pall and also marketed by ICN as the BioTrans™ nylon membrane. The probes can be spotted onto the membrane very conveniently with the Bio-Dot™ dot blot apparatus manufactured by BioRad. Each probe is spotted onto a unique, discrete location on the membrane. About 2 to 10 picomoles of each tailed probe is premixed with 50 to 100 μl of TE buffer before application to the dot blot apparatus. After dot blotting, the membrane is briefly placed on absorbent paper to draw off excess liquid. The membrane is then placed inside a UV light box, such as the Stratalinker™ light box manufactured by Stratagene, and exposed to 50 to 60 millijoules/cm² of flux at 254 nm to fix the tailed probe to the nylon membrane. After a brief rinse (for about 15 minutes in hybridization solution) to remove unbound probe, the membrane is then ready for hybridization with biotinylated PCR product.

Amplified PCR products are denatured by heating to 95° C. for 3 to 10 minutes and 40 μl of the denatured PCR product are added to each probe panel for hybridization. Hybridization is carried out at 57° C. for 20 minutes in a shaking water bath in a hybridization buffer composed of 5× SSPE, 0.25% SDS, and 5× Denhardt's solution (20× SSPE contains 0.02M EDTA, 0.2M NaH₂ PO₄, 3.6M NaCl; 0.11M NaOH, adjusted to pH 7.4). The hybridization buffer is replaced with 3 ml of a solution consisting of 25 μl of SA-HRP, commercially available from Perkin Elmer, in 3.1 ml hybridization buffer, and incubated for 20 minutes at 57° C. in a shaking water bath.

Washing is carried out in a wash buffer of 2× SSPE and 0.1% SDS. After a brief rinse of the membrane in 10 ml of wash buffer, a 12 minute stringent wash in 10 ml of buffer is done at 57° C. Another 5 minute room temperature wash is then carried out, followed by a 5 minute wash in 10 ml of 0.1 M sodium citrate, pH 5.0.

Chromogen binding is carried out in 5 ml of chromogen solution consisting of 5 ml of 0.1M sodium titrate, 5 μl of 3% hydrogen peroxide, and 0.25 ml chromogen (TMB from Perkin Ehner) for 25-30 minutes at room temperature. Three 10 minute washes in distilled water are carried out at room temperature. A post-wash of 1× PBS at room temperature for 30 minutes can enhance signal quality. During these steps involving the chromogen, the membrane should be shielded from light by an aluminum foil covering. The developed membrane should be photographed for a permanent record.

EXAMPLE 4 Microtiter Plate Format

In this embodiment of the invention, the probe is fixed to a well of a microtiter plate. The amplified target DNA is hybridized to the bound probe as described above. As in the previous example, the amplification primers are biotinylated, to allow detection of amplified DNA that hybridizes to the bound probes.

The desired probes conjugated to BSA are first allowed to adsorb to the plastic surface of the individual wells. The wells are then blocked with protein, such as bovine serum albumin. Preferably, 96 well plates available from Corning are used.

Once the amplification has been completed, the PCR tubes were removed from the thermocycler (available through Perkin Elmer). One hundred microliters of denaturation solution were added to each PCR tube. A new pipette tip is used for each tube. In one embodiment, detection may not be preformed immediately. In that case, the PCR tubes were storied overnight at 2° C. to 8° C. Denatured amplification reactions become viscus upon storage at 2° C. to 8° C. Tubes were briefly warmed at 25° C. to 30° C. prior to opening tubes to make pipette easy.

The appropriate number of eight well microtiler plate strips (minimally 2 strips) were removed and set into the microliter plate frame. One hundred microliters of hybridization buffer was pipetied into each well of the microtiter plate.

The denaturation solution contains 0.4M NaOH; 80 mM EDTA and 0.005% Thymol blue. Hybridization/neutralization buffer contains: 2.5M NaSCN; 80 mM NaH₂ PO₄ ; 10 mM NaH₂ PO_(4;) and 0.125% Tween 20. Before use the pH is checked to be 5.0 ±0.2.

Using plugged tips with a multi channel pipetter, 25 μl of the denatured amplification reaction from each PCR tube in the tray was pipetied to the corresponding well position in the microtiter plate. The plate was covered with the microliter plate lid and gently tapped on the side 10 to 15 times. Wells in which proper reagent pipetting has been done will turn light yellow in color. If no or only a single change in blue color is noted, excess amplicon has been added. The test is continued as positive OD values will increase but negative OD values are not affected. The plate was incubated for 60 minutes at 37° C.

Following incubation the plate was washed five times with wash solution. Washing of the plate may be preformed manually or with an automated microtiter plate washer programmed accordingly. For washing, a 1× PCR wash buffer was used. A 10× concentrate of PCR washed buffer was prepared as follows: 9.94 grams per liter of sodium phosphate dibasic; 4.41 grams per liter sodium phosphate (monobasic); 3.722 grams per liter EDTA; 87.66 grams per liter sodium chloride; 13.7 grams per liter of Tween 20; and 10 grams per liter of Pro Clin 300 (Rohm and Haas, Philadelphia, Pa.). The solution is pH with phosphoric acid (pH 6.5-7.1 is preferred).

For manual washing the contents of the plate were emptied and tapped dry. Three hundred microliters of wash solution was added to each well in the plate being tested, and the plate was allowed to dry for 15 to 30 seconds. The plate was again emptied and tapped dry. This wash process was repeated four additional times.

For an automated microplate washer, the following procedure was used. The contents of the wells was aspirated. The washer was programmed to add 350 microliters of working wash solution to each well in the plate being tested and soaked for 30 seconds and aspirated. The steps were repeated four additional times. The plate was then tapped dry.

One hundred microliters of conjugate was added to each well in the plate being tested. The avidin-HRP conjugate is prepared as follows. The diluent contains 0.1 molar; 0.25% Emulsit 25 (DKS International, Inc., Tokyo, Japan); 1.0% Kathon CG (Rohm and Haas, Philadelphia, Pa.); 0.1% phenol; 1.0% bovine gamma globulin. The solution was pH to 7.3 with concentrated HCL. To this diluent 10 nM of conjugated avidin was added (Vector Labs, Burlingame, Calif.). The plate was then covered and then incubated 5(2) minutes at 37° C. and again washed as described above. The working substrate was prepared by mixing 2.0 ml of Substrate A and 0.5 ml of Substrate B for each multiple of two 8 well microtiter plate strips (16 tests). Substrate A contains 3 mM hydrogen peroxide; 6.5 mM citrate and 0.1% Kathon CG. Substrate B contains 4.2 mM 3,3', 5,5' tetramethylbenzidine and 40% dimethylformamide. The working substrate was prepared no more than three hours before use and was stored away from direct sunlight.

One hundred microliters of working substrate (substrate A and B mixture) was added to each well of the plate being tested. The plate was then covered and incubated in the dark for 10 minutes at room temperature (20° C. to 25° C.). One hundred microliters of Stop Reagent (5% H₂ SO₄) was added to each well being tested. The absorbance of each well of 450 mM was read within one hour of adding the Stop Reagent. The absorbance value was recorded for specimen and control.

EXAMPLE 5 Probes and Primer Pairs

The oligonucleotides of the present invention provide numerous combinations of primers and probes that can be used in the amplification of HCV genomic sequences and detection of the amplified product. A large number of oligonucleotides have been tested for effectiveness as primers in an RT-PCR amplification.

PCR amplification reactions were carried out with various pairs of oligonucleotides using the methods described in Example 1. Amplified product was detected by standard methods of agarose gel electrophoresis separation and staining (see Sambrook et al., supra). Each of the upstream primers KY65 (SEQ ID NO. 1) and KY98 (SEQ ID NO. 3) functioned effectively with each of the downstream primers KY68 (SEQ ID NO. 27), KY95 (SEQ ID NO.20), and KY99 (SEQ ID NO. 26) in the amplification of HCV sequences. KY67 (SEQ ID NO. 10) functioned effectively with both KY68 (SEQ ID NO. 27) and KY99 (SEQ ID NO. 26). Each of the upstream primers KY80 (SEQ ID NO. 5), KY83 (SEQ ID NO. 7), KY84 (SEQ ID NO. 8), KY85 (SEQ ID NO. 9), and KY144 (SEQ ID NO. 6) functioned effectively with each of the downstream primers KY78 (SEQ ID NO. 18), KY95 (SEQ ID NO. 20), KY145 (SEQ ID NO. 19), KY148 (SEQ ID NO. 17), and KY149 (SEQ ID NO. 16). Finally, each of the upstream primers KY80 (SEQ ID NO. 5) and KY81 (SEQ ID NO. 11) functioned effectively with KY100 (SEQ ID NO. 21).

Amplification product from PCR amplification using KY78 (SEQ ID NO. 18) and KY80 (SEQ ID NO. 5) as primers was detected by probing with each of KY88 (SEQ ID NO. 12), KY84 (SEQ ID NO. 8), and KY85 (SEQ ID NO. 9) using the methods described in Example 2, above.

Primers KY153 (SEQ ID NO. 15), KY149 (SEQ ID NO. 16), and KY148 (SEQ ID NO. 17) cannot be used with any of the upstream primers that are downstream of KY85. The 3'-end of KY78 (SEQ ID NO. 18) is adjacent to the 3'-end of KY88 (SEQ ID NO. 12), so although these two primers could function as a primer pair, the lack of any intervening sequence makes independent probing impossible. Primer KY86 (SEQ ID NO. 13) can only be paired with KY100 (SEQ ID NO. 21), KY99 (SEQ ID NO. 26), KY109 (SEQ ID NO. 24), and KY111 (SEQ ID NO. 25). Primer KY87 (SEQ ID NO. 14) can only be paired with KY99 (SEQ ID NO. 26), KY109 (SEQ ID NO. 24), and KY111 (SEQ ID NO. 25).

KY84 (SEQ ID NO. 8), KY85 (SEQ ID NO. 9), KY87 (SEQ D NO. 14), and KY 148 (SEQ ID NO. 17) discussed above are useful for the detection of known HCV isolates other than the C9 isolate. The probes and primers disclosed in Table 4 are specific for amplifying and detecting HCV-C9 and related variants and for excluding Japan and U.S. HCV prototypes.

Primers for specifically amplifying Japan and U.S. HCV prototypes and not HCV-C9 are exemplified by KY84 (SEQ ID NO. 8), KY85 (SEQ ID NO. 9), KY148 (SEQ ID NO. 17) and KY87 (SEQ ID NO. 14). Primers for amplifying Japan, U.S., and C9 HCV prototypes include KY67 (SEQ ID NO. 10), KY78 (SEQ ID NO. 18), KY80 (SEQ ID NO. 5), KY81 (SEQ ID NO. 11), KY83 (SEQ ID NO. 7), KY86 (SEQ ID NO. 13), KY88 (SEQ ID NO. 12), KY95 (SEQ ID NO. 20), KY100 (SEQ ID NO. 21), KY144 (SEQ ID NO. 6), KYI45 (SEQ ID NO. 19), and KY153 (SEQ ID NO. 15). Primers KY65 (SEQ ID NO. 1), KY68 (SEQ ID NO. 27), KY98 (SEQ ID NO. 3), KY99 (SEQ ID NO. 26), KY109 (SEQ ID NO. 24), KY111 (SEQ ID NO. 25), and KY149 (SEQ ID NO. 16) are suitable for amplifying Japan and U.S. HCV prototype and related variant isolates and may be suitable for detecting HCV-C9 and related isotypes as well.

Probes for detecting Japan, U.S., and C9 HCV prototypes and related variants are exemplified by KY67 (SEQ ID NO. 10), KY78 (SEQ ID NO. 18), KY81 (SEQ ID NO. 11), KY86 (SEQ ID NO. 13), KY95 (SEQ ID NO. 20), KY150 (SEQ ID NO. 43), and KY145 (SEQ ID NO. 19). Probes for detecting Japan and U.S. HCV prototype and related variants which probes do not detect the HCV-C9 prototype include KY83 (SEQ ID NO. 7), KY87 (SEQ ID NO. 14), KY84 (SEQ ID NO. 8), KY88 (SEQ ID NO. 12), KY85 (SEQ ID NO. 9), KYI00 (SEQ ID NO. 21), KY148 (SEQ ID NO. 17), and KY149 (SEQ ID NO. 16). Probes KY65 (SEQ ID NO. 1), KY68 (SEQ ID NO. 27), KY82 (SEQ ID NO. 28), KY99 (SEQ ID NO. 26), KY109 (SEQ ID NO. 24), KYl 11 (SEQ ID NO. 25), KY80 (SEQ ID NO. 5), KY144 (SEQ ID NO. 6), and KY153 (SEQ ID NO. 15) are suitable for detecting Japan and U.S. HCV prototype and related variant isolates and may be suitable for detecting HCV-C9 and related variants as well.

EXAMPLE 6 A Preferred Methods for Homogeneous RT/PCR Amplification of HCV RNA in the Presence of UNG

The homogeneous RT-PCR amplification method described in Example 1 was modified to include a sterilization step. The protocol described. below demonstrates that the RT and PCR reactions incorporate dUTP. Sterilization occurs at 50° C. prior to the RT step. At the elevated RT-PCR reaction temperatures, UNG is inactive, and the dU containing products are not degraded. Two units of UNG (Perkin Elmer) successfully sterilized a carryover equivalent to 0.25 μl of a 100 μl amplification made with 10,000 copies of HCV RNA. Higher amounts of UNG, for example, up to 6 units per 100 μl reaction, are also suitable.

    ______________________________________                                         Reaction Mix Components Were Added in the Following                            Order                        μl/Rx                                          ______________________________________                                         50% Glycerol                 16.00                                             10X RT Rxn. Buffer (100 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.3),                                                               10.00                                             900 mM KCl)                                                                    dGTP (10 mM); 200 μM final                                                                               2.00                                              dATP (10 mM); 200 μM final                                                                               2.00                                              dUTP (20 mM); 200 μM final                                                                               1.00                                              dCTP (10 mM); 200 μM final                                                                               2.00                                              KY80 (SEQ ID NO. 5) at 15 μM (15 pmoles each/rxn                                                         1.00                                              final); (+) biotinylated strand primer                                         KY78 (SEQ ID NO. 18) at 15 μM (15 pmoles each/rxn                                                        1.00                                              final); (+) biotinyl. (-) strand, RT primer                                    UNG: 1 unit/μl            2.00                                              rTth DNA polymerase: 2.5 U/μl in 1X enzyme storage                                                       4.00                                              buffer*                                                                        MnCl.sub.2 (10 mM); 0.9 mM final                                                                            9.00                                              Master Mix per tube          50.00                                             RNA (with carrier background** in H.sub.2 O)                                                                50.00                                             TOTAL VOLUME OF REACTION     100.00                                            ______________________________________                                          *1X enzyme storage buffer = (20 mM TrisHCl [pH 7.5], 100 mM KCl, 0.1 mM        EDTA, 1 mM DTT, 0.5% Tween 20 [Pierce Surfactamps], 50% glycerol [v/v]).       **1 μg poly rA homopolymeric RNA from Pharmacia (#274110) per reaction      is routinely used and up to 2 μg is tolerated. The poly rA has an           average S.sub.20,w, of 8.8 (Range 6-13) or approximately 100-400 nt.           Heterologous DNAs seems to give rise to some nonspecific products at the       annealing temperature used at input levels of less than 200 ng per             reaction. Calf thymus DNA, PBL DNA, human placental DNA, and DNA from the      cell line K562 have been examined and behave similarly.                  

Procedure

1. Turn on TC9600 thermocycler to prelleat cover.

2Prepare reaction mix at room temperature.

3. Place robes into thermocycler and press "Run" to restart thermocycler.

4. Start machine at file 8.

5. Suggested thermocycle conditions:

    ______________________________________                                         File 1: Hold                                                                            2 min. at 50° C.                                                                      UNG Sterilization Step                                  File 2: Hold                                                                            15 min. at 70° C.                                                                     Reverse Transcription Step                              File 3: Hold                                                                            1 min. at 95° C.                                               File 4: Two                                                                             15 sec. at 95° C.                                              Temp. PCR                                                                               and 10-30 sec. at                                                              60° C. for 2 cycles                                            File 5: Two                                                                             15 sec. at 90° C.                                              Temp. PCR                                                                               and 10-30 sec. at                                                              60° C. for 38 cycles                                           File 6: Hold                                                                            72° C. for 1 hour                                              File 7: Hold                                                                            15° C. indefinitely                                            File 8: Link                                                                            Files: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,                                                       and 7                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

At step 5, file 2, the 15 min. reaction time can be lowered to 5 minutes without decreasing the reaction efficiency. At step 5, file 5, for high G+C templates, it may be preferable to raise the denaturation temperature to 95° C. Analysis of reaction products by microtiter plate assay format generally resulted in absorbance values greater than 0.8 for positive samples and≦0.5 for negative samples.

    __________________________________________________________________________     SEQUENCE LISTING                                                               (1) GENERAL INFORMATION:                                                       (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 43                                                  (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1:                                               (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 22 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1:                                        CCAAGCTTCACCATAGATCACT22                                                       (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2:                                               (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 24 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                               (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2:                                       GGCGACACTCCACCATAGATCACT24                                                     (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3:                                               (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 31 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii ) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                             (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3:                                        CCAAGCTTAGATCACTCCCCTGTGAGGAACT31                                              (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4:                                               (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 30 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4:                                        CCAAGCTTCACGCAGAAAGCGTCTAGCCAT30                                               (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:5:                                               (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 24 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                        (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                          (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:5:                                        GCAGAAAGCGTCTAGCCATGGCGT24                                                     (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:6:                                               (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 26 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         ( C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                      (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:6:                                        ACGCAGAAAGCGTCTAGCCATGGCGT26                                                   (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:7:                                               (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 30 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                          (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                      (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:7:                                        CCTCCAGGACCCCCCCTCCCGGGAGAGCCA30                                               (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:8:                                               (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 27 base pairs                                                       (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                        (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:8:                                        GAGTACACCGGAATTGCCAGGACGACC27                                                  (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:9:                                               (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 21 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:9:                                        ACCCGCTCAATGCCTGGAGAT21                                                        (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:10:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                   (A) LENGTH: 22 base pairs                                                     (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:10:                                       CGAAGCTTGCTAGCCGAGTAGT22                                                       (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:11:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 24 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:11:                                       CCGCAAGACTGCTAGCCGAGTAGT24                                                     (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:12:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 25 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:12:                                       GTTGGGTCGCGAAAGGCCTTGTGGT25                                                    (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:13:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 30 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:13:                                       GGTGCTTGCGAGTGCCCCGGGAGGTCTCGT 30                                              (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:14:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 24 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:14:                                       GACTTCCGAGCGGTCGCAACCTCG 24                                                    (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:15:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 25 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:15:                                       CCCAACACTACTCGGCTAGCAGTCT 25                                                   (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:16:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 26 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:16:                                       AAGGCCTTTCGCGACCCAACACTACT 26                                                  (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:17:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 26 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:17:                                       CACAAGGCCTTTCGCGACC CAACACT26                                                  (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:18:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 24 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:18:                                       CTCGCAAGC ACCCTATCAGGCAGT24                                                    (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:19:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 26 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:19:                                       CACTCGCAAGCACCCTATCAGGCAGT26                                                   (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:20:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 29 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                               (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:20:                                      GGGAATTCGCAAGCACCCTATCAGGCAGT29                                                (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:21:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 23 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:21:                                       CGAGGTTGCGACCGCTCGGAAGT23                                                      (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:22:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 21 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:22:                                       AGGTTGCGACCGCTCGGAAGT21                                                        (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:23:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 21 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                        (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                          (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:23:                                       AGGTTGCGACCGCTCGGAAGT21                                                        (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:24:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 21 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:24:                                       AATGCCATAGAGGGGCCAAGG21                                                        (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:25:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 21 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                          (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                      (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:25:                                       ATTGCCATAGAGGGGCCAAGG21                                                        (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:26:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 31 base pairs                                                       (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                        (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:26:                                       CAGAATTCATTGCCATAGAGGGGCCAAGGAT31                                              (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:27:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 22 base pairs                                                       (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                        (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:27:                                       CAGAATTCGCCCTCATTGCCAT22                                                       (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:28:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                   (A) LENGTH: 24 base pairs                                                     (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:28:                                       CCCACCCCAAGCCCTCATTGCCAT24                                                     (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:29:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 526 base pairs                                                     (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:29:                                       ACTGTCTTCACGCAGAAAGCGTCTAGCCATGGCGTTAGTATGAGTGTCGTACAGCCTCCA60                 GGCCCCCCCCT CCCGGGAGAGCCATAGTGGTCTGCGGAACCGGTGAGTACACCGGAATTA120               CCGGAAAGACTGGGTCCTTTCTTGGATAAACCCACTCTGTGTCCGGTCATTTGGGCGTGC180                CCCCGCAAGACTGCTAGCCGAGTAGCGTTGGGTTGCGAAAGGCCTTGTGGTACTG CCTGA240               TAGGGTGCTTGCGAGTGCCCCGGGAGGTCTCGTAGACCGTGCATCATGAGCACAAATCCT300                AAACCTCAAAGAAAAACCAAAAGAAACACAAACCGCCGCCCACAGGACGTTAAGTTTCCG360                GGTGGCGGCCAGATCGTTGGCGGAGTTTAC TTGCTGCCGCGCAGGGGCCCCAGGTTGGGT420               GTGCGCGCGACAAGAAAGACTTCCGAGCGATCCCAGCCGCGTGGGAGACGCCAGCCCATC480                CCAAAAGATCGGCGCTCCACCGGCAAGTCCTGGGGAAAGCCAGGAT526                              (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:30:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 494 base pairs                                                     (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:30:                                       GGCGTTAGTATGAGTGTCGTACAGCCTCCAGGCCCCCCCCTCCCGGGAGAGCCATAGTGG 60                TCTGCGGAACCGGTGAGTACGCCGAATTACCGGAAAGACTGGGTCCTTTCTTGGATAAAC120                CCACTCTATGTCCGGTCATTTGGGCGTCCCCCGCAAGACTGCTAGCCGAGTAGCGTTGGG180                TTGCGAAAGGCCTTGTGGTACTGCCTGATAGGGTGCTT GCGAGTGCCCCGGGAGGTCTCG240               TAGACCGTGCATCATGAGCACAGATCCTAAACCTCAAAGAAAAACCAAAAGAAATACAAA300                CCGCCGCCCACAGGACGTCAAGTTCCCGGGTGGCGGCCAGATCGTTGGCGGAGTTTACTT360                GCTGCCGCGCAG GGGCCCCAGGTTGGGTGTGCGCACAACAAGGAAGACTTCCGAGCGATC420               CCAGCCGCGTGGAAGACGCCAGCCCATCCCGAAAGATCGGCGCTCCACCGGTAAGTCCTG480                GGGAAAGCCAGGAT 494                                                             (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:31:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 494 base pairs                                                     (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:31:                                       GGCGTTAGTATGAGTGTCGTACAGCCTCCAGGCCCCCCCCTCCCGG GAGAGCCATAGTGG60                TCTGCGGAACCGGTGAGTACGCCGAATTGCCGGAAAGACTGGGTCCTTTCTTGGATAAAC120                CCACTCTATGTCCGGTCATTTGGGCGTCCCCCGCAAGACTGCTAGCCGAGTAGCGTTGGG180                TTGCGAAAGGCCTTGTGGTA CTGCCTGATAGGGTGCTTGCGAGTGCCCAGGGAGGTCTCG240               TAGACCGTGCATCATGAGCACAAATCCTAAACCCCAAAGAAAAACCAAAAGAAACACAAA300                CCGCCGCCCACAGGACGTTAAGTTCCCGGGTGGCGGCCAGATCGTTGGCGGAGTTTACTT3 60               GATGCCGCGCAGGGGCCCCAGGTTGGGTGTGCGCGCGACGAGGAAGACTTCCGAGCGATC420                CCAGCCGCGTGGGAGACGCCAGCCCATCCCGAAAGATCGGCGTTCCACCGGCAAGTCCTG480                GGGAAAGCCAGGAT 494                                                             (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:32:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 494 base pairs                                                     (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:32:                                       GGCGTTAGTATGAGTGTCGTACAGCCTCC AGGCCCCCCCCTCCCGGGAGAGCCATAGTGG60                TCTGCGGAACCGGTGAGTACGCCGAATTGCCGGAAAGACTGGGTCCTTTCTTGGATTAAC120                CCACTCTATGTCCGGTCATTTGGGCGTCCCCCGCAAGACTGCTAGCCTAGTAGCGTTGGG180                TTG CGAACGGCCTTGTGGTACTGCCTGATAGGGTGCTTGCGAGTGCCCCGGGAGGTCTCG240               TAGACCGTGCATCATGAGCACAAATCCTAAACCTCAAAGAAAAACCAAAAGAAACACAAA300                CCGCCGCCCACAGGACGTCAAGTTCCCGGGAGGCGGTCAGATCGTTG GCGGAGTTTACTT360               GCTGCCGCGCAGGGGCCCCAGGTTGGGTGTGCGCGCGACAAGGAAGACTTCCGAGCGATC420                CCAGCCGCGTGGGAGACGCCAGCCCATCCCGAAAGATCGGCGCTCCACCGGCAAGTCCTG480                GGGAAAGCCAGGAT 494                                                             (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:33:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 494 base pairs                                                     (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:33:                                       GGCGTTAGTAT GAGTGTCGTACAGCCTCCAGGCCCCCCCCTCCCGGGAGAGCCATAGTGG60                TCTGCGGAACCGGTGAGTACACCGAATTACCGGAAAGACTGGGTCCTTTCTTGGATAAAC120                CCACTCTATGTCCGGTCATTTGGGCGTCCCCCGCAAGACTGCTAGCCTAGTAGCG TTGGG180               TTGCGAACGGCCTTGTGGTACTGCCTGATAGGGTGCTTGCGAGTGCCCCGGGAGGTCTCG240                TAGACCGTGCATCATGAGCACAAATCCTAAACCTCAAAGAAAAACCAAAAGAAACACAAA300                CCGCCGCCCACAGGACGTCAAGTTCCCGGG TGGCGGCCAGATCGTTGGCGGAGTTTACTT360               GCTGCCGCGCAGGGGCCCCAGGTTGGGTGTGCGCGCGACAAGGAAGACTTCCGAACGGTC420                CCAGCCGCGTGGGAGGCGCCAGCCCATCCCAAAAGATCGGCGCTCCACCGGCAAGTCCTG480                GGGA AAGCCAGGAT494                                                             (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:34:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 24 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:34:                                       TTGCCGGAAAGACTGGGTCCTTTC24                                                     (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:35:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 24 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                               (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:35:                                      CAAAAGAAACACAAACCGCCGCCC24                                                     (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:36:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 24 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                            (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                             (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:36:                                       CCAGCCCATCCCGAAAGATCGGCG24                                                     (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:37:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 18 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D ) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                          (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:37:                                       TGTCCGGTCATTTGGGCG18                                                           (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:38:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 21 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                        (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                          (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:38:                                       AAACCCACTCTATGTCCGGTC21                                                        (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:39:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 21 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                          (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                      (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:39:                                       GTACGCCGGAATTGCCGGAAA21                                                        (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:40:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 21 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:40:                                       CCTCAAAGAAAAACCAAAAGA21                                                        (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:41:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 21 base pairs                                                       (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                        (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:41:                                       TGGCGTCTCCCACGCGGCTGG21                                                        (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:42:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 21 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:42:                                       CTTTCCCCAGGACCTGCCGGT21                                                        (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:43:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                   (A) LENGTH: 26 base pairs                                                     (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)                                              (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:43:                                       CATAGTGGTCTGCGGAACCGGTGAGT26                                                   __________________________________________________________________________ 

We claim:
 1. An oligonucleotide probe for detecting the presence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) nucleic acids, consisting of a nucleic acid sequence at least 14 nucleotides in length that hybridizes under sequence-specific, stringent hybridization conditions to a nucleotide sequence that distinguishes and is specific to an HCV strain selected from the group consisting of Japan, US, and C9 prototype, and wherein said nucleic acid sequence is contained within a sequence selected from the group consisting ofKY78 (SEQ ID NO. 18), KY81 (SEQ ID NO. 11), KY86 (SEQ ID NO. 13), KY150 (SEQ ID NO. 43), KY145 (SEQ ID NO. 19), KY83 (SEQ ID NO. 7), KY87 (SEQ ID NO. 14), KY84 (SEQ ID NO. 8), KY88 CSEO ID NO. 12), KY85 (SEQ ID NO. 9), KY100 (SEO ID NO. 21), KY148 (SEQ ID NO. 17), KY149 (SEQ ID NO. 16), KY82 (SEQ ID NO. 28), KY109 (SEO ID NO. 24), KY111(SEQ ID NO. 25), KY80 (SEQ ID NO. 5), KY144 (SEQ ID NO. 6), KY153 (SEQ ID NO. 15), SEQ ID NO.
 34. SEQ ID NO. 35, SEQ ID NO. 36, SEQ ID NO. 37, SEQ ID NO. 38, SEQ ID NO. 39, SEQ ID NO. 40, SEQ ID NO. 41, SEQ ID NO. 42, and sequences complementary thereto.
 2. The probe of claim 1 wherein said nucleotide sequence distinguishes and is specific to Japan, US, and C9 HCV strains, and wherein said nucleic acid sequence is contained within a sequence selected from the group consisting ofKY78 (SEQ ID NO. 18), KY81 (SEQ ID NO. 11), KY86 (SEQ ID NO. 13), KY150 (SEQ ID NO. 43), KY145 (SEQ ID NO. 19), and sequences complementary thereto.
 3. The probe of claim 2 wherein said probe is selected from the group consisting of KY78 (SEQ ID NO. 18), KY81 (SEQ ID NO. 11), KY86 (SEQ ID NO. 13), KY150 (SEQ ID NO. 43), KY145 (SEQ ID NO. 19), and sequences complementary thereto.
 4. The probe of claim 1 wherein said nucleotide sequence distinguishes and is specific to Japan and US HCV prototype strains, and wherein said nucleic acid sequence is contained within a sequence selected from the group consisting of KY83 (SEQ ID NO. 7), KY87 (SEQ ID NO. 14), KY84 (SEQ ID NO. 8), KY88 (SEQ ID NO. 12), KY85 (SEQ ID NO. 9), KY100 (SEQ ID NO. 21), KY148 (SEQ ID NO. 17), KY149 (SEQ ID NO. 16), KY82 (SEQ ID NO. 28), KY109 (SEQ ID NO. 24), KY111 (SEQ ID NO. 25), KY80 (SEQ ID NO. 5), KY144 (SEQ ID NO. 6), KY153 (SEQ ID NO. 15), and sequences complementary thereto.
 5. The probe of claim 1 wherein said nucleotide sequence distinguishes and is specific to Japan and US HCV prototype strains and not specific to an HCV-C9 prototype strains, wherein said nucleic acid sequence is contained within a sequence selected from the group consisting ofKY83 (SEQ ID NO. 7), KY87 (SEQ ID NO. 14), KY84 (SEQ ID NO. 8), KY88 (SEQ ID NO. 12), KY85 (SEQ ID NO. 9), KY100 (SEQ ID NO. 21), KY148 (SEQ ID NO. 17), KY 149 (SEQ ID NO. 16), and sequences complementary thereto,
 6. The probe of claim 5 wherein said nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of KY83 (SEQ ID NO, 7), KY87 (SEQ ID NO, 14), KY84 (SEQ ID NO, 8), KY88 (SEQ ID NO, 12), KY85 (SEQ ID NO, 9), KY100 (SEQ ID NO, 21), KY148 (SEQ ID NO, 17), KY149 (SEQ ID NO, 16), and sequences complementary thereto,
 7. The probe of claim 1 wherein said nucleotide sequence distinguishes and is specific to an HCV-C9 prototype strain and is not specific to Japan and US HCV prototype strains, wherein said nucleic acid sequence is contained within a sequence selected from the group consisting ofSEQ ID NO. 34, SEQ ID NO. 35, SEQ ID NO. 36, SEQ ID No. 37, SEQ ID NO. 38, SEQ ID NO. 39, SEQ ID NO. 40, SEQ ID NO. 41, SEQ ID NO. 42, and sequences complementary thereto.
 8. The probe of claim 7 wherein said nucleic acid sequences is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO. 34, SEQ ID NO. 35, SEQ ID NO. 36, SEQ ID No. 37, SEQ ID NO. 38, SEQ ID NO. 39, SEQ ID NO. 40, SEQ ID NO. 41, SEQ ID NO. 42, and sequences complementary thereto.
 9. An oligonuclcotidc primer for amplifying an HCV nucleic acid, consisting of a nucleic acid sequence at least 14 nucleotides in length that hybridizes under sequence-specific, stringent hybridization conditions to a nucleotide sequence that distinguishes and is specific to an HCV strain or isotype selected from the group consisting of Japan, US and C9 strains, and wherein said nucleic acid sequence is contained within a sequence selected from the group consisting ofKY78 (SEQ ID NO. 18), KY80 (SEQ ID NO. 5), KY81 (SEQ ID NO. 11), KY83 (SEQ ID NO. 7), KY86 (SEQ ID NO. 13), KY88 (SEQ ID NO. 12), KY100 (SEQ ID NO. 21), KY144 (SEQ ID NO. 6), KY153 (SEQ ID NO. 15), KY145 (SEQ ID NO. 19), KY98 (SEQ ID NO. 3), KY109 (SEQ ID NO. 24), KY111 (SEQ ID NO. 25), KY149 (SEQ ID NO. 16), KY87 (SEQ ID NO. 14), KY84 (SEQ ID NO. 8), KY148 (SEQ ID NO. 17), KY85 (SEQ ID NO. 9) SEQ ID NO. 38, SEQ ID NO. 39, SEQ ID NO. 40, SEQ ID NO. 41, and SEQ ID NO.
 42. 10. The primer of claim 9 wherein said nucleotide sequence distinguishes and is specific to Japan, US, and C9 HCV strains, wherein said nucleic acid sequence is contained within a sequence selected from the group consisting ofKY78 (SEQ ID NO. 18), KY80(SEQ ID NO. 5), KY81 (SEQ ID NO. 11), KY83 (SEQ ID NO. 7), KY86 (SEQ ID NO. 13), KY88 (SEQ ID NO. 12), KY100 (SEQ ID NO. 21), KY144 (SEQ ID NO. 6), KY153 (SEQ ID NO. 15), and KY145 (SEQ ID NO. 19).
 11. The primer of claim 10 wherein said nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of KY78 (SEQ ID NO. 18), KY80 (SEQ ID NO. 5), KY81 (SEQ ID NO. 11), KY83 (SEQ ID NO. 7), KY86 (SEQ ID NO. 13), KY88 (SEQ ID NO. 12), KY100 (SEQ ID NO. 21), KY144 (SEQ ID NO. 6), KY153 (SEQ ID NO. 15), and KY145 (SEQ ID NO. 19).
 12. The primer of claim 9 wherein said nucleotide sequence distinguishes and is specific to Japan and US HCV prototype strains, wherein said nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting ofKY109 (SEQ ID NO. 24), KY111 (SEQ ID NO. 25), and KY149 (SEQ ID NO. 16).
 13. The primer of claim 9 wherein said nucleotide sequence distinguishes and is specific to Japan and US HCV prototype strains and not specific to an HCV-C9 prototype strain, and wherein said nucleic acid sequence is contained within a sequence selected from the group consisting ofKY87 (SEQ ID NO. 14), KY84 (SEQ ID NO. 8), KY148 (SEQ ID NO. 17), and KY85 (SEQ ID NO. 9).
 14. The primer of claim 13 wherein said nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of KY87 (SEQ ID NO. 14), KY84 (SEQ ID NO. 8), KY148 (SEQ ID NO. 17), and KY85 (SEQ ID NO. 9).
 15. The primer of claim 9 wherein said nucleotide sequence distinguishes and is specific to an HCV-C9 prototype strain and not specific to Japan and US HCV prototype strains, and wherein said nucleic acid sequence is contained within a sequence selected from the group consisting ofSEQ ID NO. 38, SEQ ID NO. 39, SEQ ID NO. 40, SEQ ID NO. 41, and SEQ ID NO.
 42. 16. The primer of claim 15 wherein said nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO. 38, SEQ ID NO. 39, SEQ ID NO. 40, SEQ ID NO. 41, and SEQ ID NO.
 42. 17. A process for detecting the presence of Hepatitis C genomic nucleic acid from a Japan or US prototype strain in a sample, comprising:(a) treating said sample under conditions that enable the amplification of a subsequence of HCV genomic nucleic acid, wherein said subsequence is contained in the region of the Hepatitis C genomic nucleic acid corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 29; (b) mixing the amplified nucleic acid with an oligonucleotide probe consisting of a nucleic acid sequence at least 14 nucleotides in length contained within said amplified region, wherein said nucleic acid sequences distinguishes and is specific to said U.S. and Japan prototype strains and is not specific to a C9 strain, under sequence-specific, stringent hybridization conditions, wherein the probe binds to the subsequence to form a stable hybrid duplex only if said subsequence is from a U.S. or Japan prototype strain; and (c) detecting hybrids formed between the subsequence and the probe.
 18. A process for detecting a C9 isolate of hepatitis virus, the method comprising the steps of:(a) contacting a sample suspected of containing an HCV-C9 nucleic acid sequence with a probe consisting of a nucleic acid sequence at least 14 nucleotides in length contained in a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO; 29, SEQ ID NO: 30, SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 32, SEQ ID NO: 33, and the complements thereof, wherein said nucleic acid sequence is complementary to an HCV-C9 nucleic acid subsequence that is specific to the HCV-C9 virus, under sequence-specific, stringent hybridization conditions; and (b) detecting the hybridization of the probe to said subsequence.
 19. The process of claim 18, further comprising, before step (a), the step of treating said sample under conditions that enable the amplification of said subsequence of said HCV-C9 nucleic acid sequences.
 20. A kit for the detection of nucleic acid specific to a C9 isolate of hepatitis C virus, the kit comprising a compartment which contains a probe of claim
 7. 21. The process of claim 18, wherein said probe consists of a nucleic acid sequence at least 14 nucleotides in length contained within a sequence selected from the group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NO. 34, SEQ ID NO. 35, SEQ ID NO. 36, and SEQ ID No. 37, SEQ ID NO. 38, SEQ ID NO. 39, SEQ ID NO. 40, SEQ ID NO. 41, SEQ ID NO. 42, and sequences complementary thereto.
 22. A process for detecting hepatitis C virus (HCV) nucleic acid, comprising the steps of:(a) contacting a sample suspected of containing an HCV nucleic acid sequence with a probe consisting of a nucleic acid sequence at least 14 nucleotides in length contained in a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 29, SEQ ID NO: 30, SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 32, SEQ ID NO: 33, and the complements thereof, wherein said nucleic acid sequence is specific to HCV-C9, US prototype, and Japan prototype virus strains, under sequence-specific, stringent hybridization conditions; and (b) detecting the hybridization of the probe to said subsequence.
 23. The process of claim 22, wherein said probe consists of a nucleic acid sequence at least 14 nucleotides in length contained within a sequence selected from the group consisting of KY67 (SEQ ID NO. 10), KY78 (SEQ ID NO. 18), KY81 (SEQ ID NO. 11), KY86 (SEQ ID NO. 13), KY95 (SEQ ID NO. 20), KY150 (SEQ ID NO. 43), KY145 (SEQ ID NO. 19), and sequences complementary thereto. 